In the face of great sorrow

In the face of great sorrow, people of faith
          grieve
          cry out
          are uncertain of the future, its path and its obstacles
          doubt their own strength and ability to carry on.

They also
           lean into Jesus' promise to be present
           cling to the hope of God's future
           reach out to others who also sorrow
           rely on the fellowship of believers to carry them for a little while
           trust in God's ultimate love.

People of faith commend our loved ones into the hands of God thus:

 Into your hands merciful Savior we commend our brother Mark....

a sheep of your own fold,

a lamb of your own flock,

 a sinner of your own redeeming......

Remember in your prayers today those who face great sorrow.  If you can't think of anyone in particular than consider the victims of sexual assault, the parents of suffering children, the spouses of those killed in military service, those who love someone with debilitating mental illness. 

If today you are not facing great sorrow, then your task is to pray for them and hold them up. As people of faith we are not only claimed by our Lord and called into his living body, we are called to act as the body for the sake of others.  So, just like a sore toe will cause you to carry more weight on the other foot, we as members of the body bear the weight of others who, in this moment, are weaker.  Some of us make casseroles; some of us offer rides or do some babysitting; some of us run errands.  All of us are called to pray.

We pray not that our desires will win out but rather that our desires might intersect with God's will, and in the act of praying we learn to walk with God, trusting that whatever the outcome, God's great love is at work.

This is how you will learn to face great sorrow yourself. 

Thanks to all for your constant prayers for Mark.  He now rests with God.  Remember his family.