Hope on the Journey Through Loss

Have you ever sought peace amidst the chaos of loss? Comfort your heart with the timeless wisdom of Psalm 139, an anchor during life's storms. Delve into the omnipresence of God, the intricate dance between sorrow and solace, and how these forces play a pivotal role in our lives. Reflect on the contrasting images of light and dark, love and hate, and the journey from the often vengeful deity of the Old Testament to the divine love incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through affirmations and contemplations, seek to understand how each day unravels as a new chance for grace and spiritual growth.

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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: 0:18

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.

Candee: 1:16

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.

Candee: 2:57

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.

Candee: 4:19

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.

Candee: 6:15

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.

Candee: 6:42

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.

Candee: 8:15

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.