¶ Reflections on Grief and Faith
Thank you . Welcome to this week's episode of Solace: Soul + Grief . I'm Candee Lucas . We're glad you're here . This podcast is sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and the Diocese of San Jose .
The death of a loved one is a very difficult life transition and we hope we can answer some of your questions , help you find where God is moving in your life as you continue your grief journey , and remind you of the power of your faith and love for God . You're always welcome in our circle of healing , love and care .
As it appears in the Jewish Bible , the Tanakh-- Psalm 139: And it says O Lord , you have examined me and know me . When I sit down or stand up , you know it . You discern my thoughts from afar , you observe my walking and reclining and are familiar with all my ways . There is not a word on my tongue , but you , o Lord , know it well .
You hedged me before and behind . You , laid your hand upon me . It is beyond my knowledge . It is a mystery . I cannot fathom it . Where can I escape from your spirit ? Where can I flee from your spirit ? Where can I flee from your presence ? If I ascend to heaven , you are there . If I descend to Sheol , you are there too .
If I take wing with the dawn to come to rest on the western horizon . Even there , your hand will be guiding me . Your right hand will be holding me fast . If I say , surely darkness will conceal me , night will provide me with cover . Darkness is not dark for you . Night is as light as day . Darkness and light are the same .
It was you who created my conscience . You fashioned me in my mother's womb . I praise you , for I am awesomely , wondrously made . Your work is wonderful . I know it very well . My frame is not concealed from you . When I was shaped in a hidden place , knit together in the recesses of the earth , your eyes saw me . Your eyes saw my unformed limbs .
They were all recorded in your book In due time . They were formed to the very last one of them . How weighty your thoughts seem to me , O God . How great their number . I count them . They exceed the grains of sand . I end , but am still with you . Probe me and know my thoughts , see if I have vexatious ways and guide me in ways everlasting .
Even in this song of David , the bounteous exaltation of gratitude for the Lord and his doings and his creations , an enemy creeps in at the end , and part of our thanks for the love of God is the beseeching of the punishment , death and evil of our enemies . Is this merely an Old Testament belief that there must be dark and light together ?
There must be dark and light together . There must be love and hate together . There must be an enemy and there must be a friend . It seems inconsistent with the New Testament and a now human God who talks about loving thy neighbor , caring for thy neighbor , being conscious of the community of men . What changes ? What changes over 4,000 years ? The Examen .
Speak out loud twice a day . You are not alone . Faith is the source of our reflection of God as mother and father . Divine order takes charge of my life . This day and every day like it is a brand new day . There will never be another day like this one . All things work together for good for me . This day and every day , you belong .
Hope is emphasized and reflected upon . The source of our hope In this reflection is the Son of God , Jesus . I am divinely guided this day and every day , and all that I do will prosper and trust . You are loved . Love is emphasized and reflected upon . The source of this love in this reflection is the Holy Spirit .
Divine love surrounds me and enfolds me as I go forth in peace . This is St Ignatius' contemplation to attain love , or sometimes called a Suscipe: Take , Lord , and receive all my liberty , my memory , my understanding and my entire will , all I have and call my own . You have given all to me . To you , lord . I return it . Everything is yours .
Do with it what you will . Give me only your love and your grace .
¶ Solace Podcast Episode Wrap-Up
That concludes another episode of Solace . A new one drops every Friday . Please subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon or find us on Google . I'm Candee Lucas , your host , aftercare Coordinator , Chaplain and Spiritual Director at Catholic Cemeteries at Gate of Heaven in Los Altos , California . Please contact us if you have questions or seek spiritual direction .
Our contact information is in the show notes . Be gentle with yourselves . Travel with God . Vaya con Dios .