¶ Navigating Grief
We welcome you to Solace: S oul + Grief . I'm glad you're here . I'm Candee Lucas , a Jesuit-trained Catholic chaplain and spiritual director , and I've been involved with a bereavement ministry since 2009 . We know that loss can make profound changes in people's lives .
We understand how difficult it is to travel this path of grief and how important and monumental the loss of a loved one can be .
So we created this podcast to help you walk with God as you grieve your losses , understand what's happening in your heart and soul as you grieve , to be available in the best way we can to accompany you on this journey , way we can to accompany you on this journey . You're always welcome in this circle of healing , love and support .
Ignatian spirituality talks about the concept of desolation in prayer , and it might seem typical that desolation in prayer while grieving might go hand in hand . On the other hand , if we can sit in a moment of prayer with our hearts open to God , we can come to understand that that prayer time , although it may seem dry and desolate , is quite fertile .
We should remember that every day you have to say yes , total surrender to God to be where he wants you to be . If God wants you to be in a palace all right except to be in the palace . " This is a quote from Mother Teresa , saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta .
O Christ Jesus , when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness , give us the sense of your presence , your love and your strength . Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power , so that nothing may frighten or worry us , for living close to you , we shall see your hand , your purpose , your will through all things .
That's a quote from St Ignatius himself . A thorough reading of the Gospels would reveal that perhaps the most persistent command from God is not about violence or lack of religious practice , but rather about not being afraid .
In the Nativity stories of Matthew and Luke , it is staggering how many people are told not to be afraid , practically every character in the story . Mary is told do not be afraid . In Luke , Joseph is told do not be afraid . In Matthew , Zacharias is told do not be afraid .
In Luke , Zacharias , filled with the Holy Spirit , proclaims that God is visiting his people so that we may serve him without fear . The shepherds are told do not be afraid . In each of these cases , it seems that fear is the biggest obstacle to these good peoples carrying out God's will . In fact , no other obstacle is mentioned .
All this is in the first two chapters of the Gospels . Throughout the Gospels we see the effects of fear . Fear keeps Herod from rejoicing in the newborn Savior . Fear keeps Nicodemus from following Christ in the light of day . Fear keeps the Pharisees from dealing straightforwardly with Jesus . Fear keeps the disciples from recognizing Jesus walking on water .
Fear keeps Peter from walking on water . Fear leads the apostles to abandon Jesus when he is arrested . Fear keeps Peter from admitting his friendship and kinship with Jesus . And fear keeps the women at the empty tomb from proclaiming Jesus has risen . When fear is in our hearts , chances are we are not focused on what God is saying to us .
These comments come from a book called "God's Voice Within by the Jesuit priest Mark Thibodeau . At first light , fear does not seem to be a salient feature of our grief , but if we examine it closer , we become aware that the warp and woof of the fabric of grief is shot through with fear . Fear of the future , now that our loved one is gone .
It may be economic or social . It may be familial , in that a loved one's death will affect family relationships . It may be , as it relates to our own self-identity . What are we without this person whom we loved so dearly ? Or how have we changed now that this person is no longer in our lives ? It is all tainted with fear . It is all tainted with fear .
So in our prayer today , let's sit with God , sit next to Jesus in that garden where we wait for him and ask him to turn those threads of fear into threads of gold , for they bind us together . They bind us to the love of our missing , they bind us to God , they bind us to the heart of Jesus and they bind us together , amen .
¶ Spiritual Direction on Podcast Platforms
That concludes another episode . A new one , drops every friday . Please join us on Spotify , Amazon Music or Apple . Thank you for joining us . Spiritual direction is always available . See my contact email in the show notes . This is Candee Lucas , your host , chaplain and spiritual director . Go with God . Namaste . Vaya con Dios .