FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN
Our world has suffered so many natural disasters this autumn: earthquakes, forest fires, hurricanes. The pictures of lands and buildings devastated and people losing loved ones are horrifying. The ones that hurt me the most are the pictures of missing children publicized by parents and family. They hope their loved ones will be found and families will be united. Many say, “the material things we can replace. It's life that is most important”…and relationships.

Luke’s parables in today’s readings, of the farmer going out to find the lost sheep and the woman who lights a lamp and sweeps the floor hoping to find her lost coin, really speak of God’s undying love for each of us. God, like the parents missing children in the earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. searches high and low for us. As Romans says,

Jesus’death and resurrection shows us that we will be resurrected with him at death. He also shows us that resurrection happens with each death we experience, or loss. Perhaps you have lost a loved one recently, or a dream, or a job, or you know someone who is grieving a loss. It is vitally important that one grieving spend time with the loss, allow it to really happen within the heart. Be like the farmer or the woman, look into the loss and allow God’s mercy, forgiveness, healing, whatever is needed to happen…and pray to be open to the new life that will come.

Each loss has a lesson to teach us. With each revelation, comes new life: Resurrection.

Jesus is the Lord of the living and the dead!
Forever and ever, Amen.