In lower Manhattan yesterday, a man drove a truck into a biker’s lane and then hit a school bus. As of this writing, eight people were killed and eleven were injured. Our Gospel reading today from Matthew presents Jesus sharing the Beatitudes from his Sermon on the Mount. The second Beatitude is: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4).

Another word for blessed is happy. How are we to feel blessed, or happy? How do the families and friends of those who died feel blessed? We seem to hear of mass killings through violent acts on a weekly basis. From a theological point of reference, one response is that Jesus is speaking from the perspective of the eschatological event, his second coming at the end of time, and that we can rely on the hope that for all those who sleep in Christ will rise with him on the last day.

I do not dispute that claim, but I also believe that Jesus was also speaking about our day to day experiences as well. Jesus said, as is recorded in Mark 1:15: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.” Jesus, was the kingdom at hand, just an outstretched arm away. The key to this beatitude is that those who mourn will be blessed, will be happy. Meaning, we are blessed if we enter into the grief and the suffering of the loss and not run away from the agony and pain that threatens to overwhelm us. Also, Jesus’ invitation to embrace the pain is offered, because by entering into our pain and suffering we come to encounter Jesus on the cross with his arms wide open ready to embrace us in our agony, ache, and loss.

By experiencing the sorrow, to be able to mourn, we are in a better position to heal. If we ask God the why of such atrocities we may not receive a sufficient answer and I have yet heard anyone offer one. What I do believe is that his Son, who suffered the agony, loss, pain, and hurt as we did, understands what we are feeling. He is present with us and will guide us through to healing when we turn to him. As we free ourself through embracing the pain, not only are we able to come to a place of healing, we are also better able to experience the wonder of encountering our loved ones we believe lost, but come to the awareness that he or she is now found, risen with Christ. There have been many who have experienced consolation from a loved one’s after death encounter.

Today, we celebrate the gift of this promise of the Resurrection, the gift of the Communion of Saints on this All Saints Day. Those who have gone before us, those who from their heavenly home cheer us on, encourage us, intercede for us, have also welcomed those who have left our present dimension and entered a new plane of existence with God. Let us not be afraid to mourn, to shed a tear, to let loose the depth of our sorrow; for through the grace, mercy, and love of God the Father, we will be comforted.

Jesus suffered death, but that death did not have the last word. He conquered death and death no longer has any power over us. Yes, we mourn the loss of those we hold close to our heart, yet we also rejoice in their new life in Christ. St Paul of the Cross taught: “The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus which are the miracle of miracles of the love of God. We must arouse the world from its slumber.” When faced with the growing darkness of acts of violence and hatred, we must not give in to complacency, cynicism, or hatred, but instead like many first responders, be the hands and feet of Jesus so to rise up and love all the more.

Let us pray for the repose of the souls for those who died and Manhattan yesterday, those recovering from injuries and the trauma, as well as those who mourn.

Source for quote from St Paul of the Cross:

https://passionist.org/st-paul-of-the-cross-passionist-founder/

Photo:

Crucifix at the front entrance of Our Lady of Florida Retreat Center

Link for today’s Mass Readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110117.cfm