Canon Mark writes about the resources we have in our Christian faith that enable us to grieve for our loss and for the loss of others.

There is so much pain and despair in this world. Haitians struggling to recover from a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Afghans living through political and social upheaval. Australians coming to terms with unstoppable Covid. In our own country human life continues to be marked by both joy and heartache in almost equal measure.

Some shrug their shoulders and say "Such is life. It's our lot. Nothing much has changed." But our Christian tradition has rich resources to help us in our time of need. More help than we may perhaps realise.

Think of Mary Magdalene weeping outside the tomb of Jesus. It's a familiar image that appears in many paintings down through the centuries. Works by Titian and Rembrandt capture but don't exhaust the meaning of this poignant scene. Mary cries because she's experienced grief upon grief. Her beloved Lord Jesus has suffered the most shameful and degrading death by crucifixion and now she thinks his body has been further desecrated by grave robbers. She stands weeping, despairing, exhausted.

But she also invites all those suffering loss to stand with her. Think of someone you know, or whom you have seen on television or read in the newspaper in the last week, who was overcome by grief - from Haiti, Afghanistan, Australia and our own land. Bring them in your mind to stand with Mary. Now with empathy let the tears flow. Hold them in your mind and in your prayers.

And then, when the moment is right, stoop down with them and look into the tomb itself and be prepared for a surprise. There are angels. They weren't there before - or were they? The transformation has begun.

Now straighten up. Who is that standing in front of you? It's someone you don't at first recognise. He's speaking to you. Listen to him speaking your name and the names of all those who are grieving this day. It is Jesus. He has gone through the agonies of death, absorbed it's power and come out the other side to resurrection life - an altogether new kind of life.

Again listen to Jesus call you by name and all those who are grieving for their loss. Bring them to Jesus and ask him to bless, to heal, to comfort, to restore. He is in the middle of our suffering. The one who suffered for us, is now alongside us. He understands what we're going through. We may not recognise him immediately. But Jesus promises to be with us always.

Please call the parish office if you would like one of our clergy team or pastoral care team to visit. We are available to talk with you and pray with you.

Blessings to you, Canon Mark.