Love Beyond Loss

 This week's  discussion paves the way for understanding and comfort as we navigate the path of loss and bereavement.  The profound wisdom of Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner, explores the continuum of our souls and the indelible connection we maintain with those who have passed on. Through the lens of faith, we contemplate the transformative power of death, seeking solace in the thought that our loved ones are not lost to us but are instead "transfigured into light, into power, into love."  This episode promises a sanctuary of understanding and the warm embrace of shared experience.

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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE

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Our theme music is:  Gentle Breeze by Yeti Music from the album "Uppbeat".
Additional Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Transcript

Candee Lucas: 0:34

Welcome to this week's episode of Solace: Soul + Plus Grief. I'm Candee Lucas. We're glad you're here. This podcast is sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries in 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.

Candee Lucas: 1:20

Psalm 71. I cry aloud to God. I cry to God to hear me On the day of my distress. I seek the Lord by night. My hands are stretched out unceasingly. I refuse to be consoled. When I think of God, I groan. As I meditate, my spirit grows faint. I consider the days of old, the years long past. I remember. At night, I ponder in my heart and as I meditate, my spirit probes. I conclude my sorrow is this I will recall the deeds of the Lord. Yes, recall your wonders of old. I will ponder all your works on your exploits. I will meditate your way. God is holy. What God is as great as our God? You are the God who does wonders among the peoples. You have revealed your might and with your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph and me.

Candee Lucas: 3:23

The Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner gave us many great writings, both on the spiritual exercises and on the eschatological end of our Christian lives. And his writings on death, I think, are both illustrative and comforting to those who are grieving, since we are offered a glimpse of the continuum of our souls. H e wrote --the great mistake of many people is to imagine that those whom death has taken leave us. They do not leave us. We do not see them, but they see us. Their eyes, radiant with glory, are fixed upon our eyes. Oh, infinite consolation. Though invisible to us, our dead are not absent. They're living near us, transfigured into light and power and love. Oh, infinite consolation. Though invisible to us, our dead are not absent-- he wrote.

Candee Lucas: 5:28

I have often reflected upon the surest comfort for those who mourn. It is this-- Affirm faith in the real and continual presence of our loved ones. It is the clear and penetrating conviction that death has not destroyed them, nor carried them away. They are not even absent, but living near to us, transfigured, being lost in their glorious change. No delicacy of their soul, no tenderness of their hearts, no special preference in their affection. On the contrary, they have, in depth and fervor of devotion, grown larger, a hundredfold. What is for the good? A translation into light, into power, into love. Those who, on earth, were only ordinary Christians become perfect. Those who were good become sublime. 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. Be well Vaya con Dios.