November 2. Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. All souls.    They gathered at the parish early in the morning to start their pilgrimage, as they called it, to the cemetery as usual on November 2nd.  Men, women and children, all who had lost a dearly beloved family member or close friend made the short journey, many on their own, but it was the company of others that comforted them.  Solly and Kathy had each lost a younger family member to Covid-19,  John had recently lost a son in an accident, Paul’s son had been killed during an armed robbery while Zama’s daughter had succumbed to cancer.  As parents they came to share their grief and offer one another support.  Fr George prayed a special prayer for grieving parents and reminded them of the support offered by The Compassionate Friends to those who have lost a child. 

Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.  Psalm 116:15.   “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”   Revelations 21:4.   Pope Francis: How can we even begin to understand the grief of parents who have lost a child? It is as if time stops altogether a chasm opens to engulf both past and future and at times we even go so far as to lay the blame on God. I can understand them, get angry with God.  AL254.  The laws in the Bible dwell on relationships, not only among individuals but also with other living beings. “If you chance upon a bird’s nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting upon the young or upon the eggs; you shall not take the mother with the young. (Dt 22:4)  LS 68.    Reflect, share, act and pray