a series of reflections based on this online stations of the cross
Grief is a journey. What losses are you facing in your life? What are you mourning?
On the verge of a new season of life, grief has been hovering near the surface of my emotions for the last three months. Mixed in with the anticipation and expectation of the new things ahead of me and the gratitude for the good things surrounding me as I prepare for a major vocational shift, there is grief for the life, friends, environment and context I am leaving.
In the midst of the swell of personal mourning, there is a communal mourning happening that’s harder to get my head around. As communities enforce necessary physical distancing measures to try to avoid spreading this global pandemic, we together are facing loss that is harder to make concrete. The phrase “ambiguous grief” has been offered as a resource for this experience.
The women who were part of Jesus’ ministry and life mourned. And at this station, we pause to give space for the healing tears of personal and communal mourning. At this station, the face of my college friend whose life ended too soon in a car accident comes to mind, along with the impressions of grandparents I never really got to know but sort of remember. At this station, the dreams of what I thought my life would look like come to mind, along with the desires and hopes that continue to be unfulfilled. At this station, the gift of lament songs, silence, candles and darkness come to mind, along with the countless cards of encouragement, support and affirmation received from others. At this station, mourning is not a bad word. It’s not a sign of weak faith.
The women of Jerusalem mourned for Jesus. As communities of Jesus-followers, may we continue to create space for people to mourn.