Today’s first reading taken from St. Paul to the Ephesians touched my heart.  I had to read it many times to have it reinforced – the blessings that we have.  Why was this so significant at this time?  All around me I’m seeing so much sadness and grieving lately: not only friends passing away but children of friends passing away, friends and relatives currently on hospice, widowed friends and relatives whose broken hearts are on their sleeves, young children being left with only one parent, my grandson struggling with the demon of addiction and losing – it is a challenge to keep a positive attitude.  My heart breaks for my friends as they bury a beloved spouse or child and seeing youngsters trying to understand their loss.  My fear of my son potentially losing his first born is palpable every day. Of course, I pray and ask for strength to be able to support and find words of comfort – to have the faith I need to face each day. Yet I know, we are never alone.  I know that there is much love in this beautiful world.  However, it was St. Paul’s words that have resonated so strongly for me at this time.  His words remind me of our blessings in the most aspect of our lives. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him  . . .
In Christ we have redemption by his Blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.

I need to be reminded that this time on earth is transitory – there is MORE than these struggles and even the joys and delights.  I was recently at the funeral of a beautiful young woman in her mid-forties, she had written something very poignant years ago when barely 30 and I want to include an excerpt from her wise words:

Relationships are eternal; separation of our bodies does not mean separation of our souls. We are healed by this knowledge because it reminds us of the oneness of our relationship . . . our relationships do not die, they only change form.  Faith means knowing that no one is ever really gone.

It is because of our Savior, who gave His life for us, that I can have hope and see beyond the tragedies that haunt our lives.  How blessed were the Ephesians (and the Corinthians, Galatians, Romans and the list goes on) to be able to hear St. Paul give testimony of the Risen Christ and news of salvation and redemption.  How blessed are we to read these messages and open our hearts – to let Jesus in to dwell with us and within us!!  Perhaps our hearts are broken to assure they are open to let God in . . . .

A song that has comforted me for many years . . .
My Savior, My God
Aaron Shust