When my grandmother passed away some years ago, I went to my company’s Human Resource Director and asked what the grievance policy was. She asked about who I had a grievance against, and when I told her my situation, she corrected me to
explain that I needed to know about the bereavement policy! Whoops. I guess I was grieving.
I’m afraid that’s about all the ‘humor’ I can muster right now, as for the second time in a week the FCCH family has had to bid a temporary farewell to another saint. Pauline Donovan, wife of Deacon John, has been welcomed into Heaven by none other than Jesus, the Christ.
When a loved one dies, Christians and pagans alike weep, grieve, and feel lonely. But there’s one human emotion that is a complete stranger to followers of Jesus–hopelessness. Believers should celebrate that gift from God as you absorb the following, Spirit-inspired, writing:
“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. There- fore encourage each other with these words.” [I Thessalonians 4:13-18]
Our faith is coupled with this hope:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” [Hebrews 11:1]
Following is my desire for every person on this email, especially those who grieve:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” [Romans 15:13]