Blessed: Part 2 - 'Those Who Mourn'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Matthew chapter 5 verses 1 - 4

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Psalm chapter 34 verse 18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm chapter 51 verse 17

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

Psalm chapter 126 verse 6

Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.



Prayer and Reflection:

God of all comfort, thank you that you draw close to us, when we mourn.  Thank you that is precisely in and through such times that our communion with you is at its deepest. Forgive us Lord for our sins and bring us that sense of peace and blessedness that flows from the knowledge of your love and forgiveness. Help us to trust you completely in our times of loss and grief, and comfort us when we mourn over things we have lost or mourn over our own poverty of spirit. Help us, loving God, to bring comfort to those whom we know when they are in those times of mourning, that we might reflect well your amazing love and grace. Amen.




Questions to Consider

1. What are your own deepest experiences of mourning?
2. What are your recollections of the prayers and conversations you had at the time?
3. Is there anything that has ever triggered again a sense of grief and loss? For example, the loss of a job that evokes the deep grief felt when losing a loved one?
4. What do you make of the idea that God draws close to the brokenhearted, and that our faith might possibly deepen through experiencing the very worst of times?
5. What might we do to connect with God at such times? Is this, in fact, what you have done in the past? Might you do this in the future?
6. How might your reflections on your own times of mourning equip you to be a comforter to others in their times of loss?
7. Is there something in your life where you recognize that you got things wrong and you mourn over it? Have you confessed this to God and perhaps talked with a trusted friend about it? Have you prayed about it? If so, what do you think God has been saying to you? If not, why not?