Those words have come to me the last couple of weeks as we've lost Melissa, I've said good bye to Kris as he's left for Ontario, as Sheona has left for Vancouver as we've celebrated Warren's 40th Birthday. While it's advice we often ignore, we don't want to mourn we want to cheer people up or rain on their parade, I think it's great short hand for community. Community is who you celebrate and mourn with.
Indeed the Romans 12 has a great deal to say about community. Here's a bit:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.- Peace
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
1 comment:
Reminds me of the dialogue between Anakin and Yoda. Anakin's solution to the fear of loss is to use it as an excuse to grab power from the dark side regardless of the cost.
Anakin of course ignores Yoda's solution of detachment: "miss them do not, mourn them do not".
Saint Paul gives us another alternative: "mourn with those who mourn".
For reminding me that wiser than Yoda Paul is, Dave I thank.
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