Parting words

I wasn't able to attend the funeral of Fr. James Swiat, our former pastor, who passed away July 21, 2024 (maybe you knew him?), so I contacted the church from which he was buried to see if his funeral was still available to watch online. It is. (https://www.youtube.com/live/NOCqYKLBeu0)

The following words, in part, spoken as sort of an introduction at his funeral really summed up for me something beautiful:

"We gather to grieve, because we are human. To rejoice because we are Christian. To give thanks because we shared in the life of Fr. Jim."

I think these words touched me because it can be a temptation to try to suppress grief, especially for people of faith who like to focus on the heavenly banquet at which our loved one is now (hopefully) seated.

However, just because we look forward to the joy of eternal life, does not mean that grief doesn't have its rightful place in the experience of loss. I think the three-fold summary of grieving, rejoicing and thanksgiving are a proper perspective for us to take up.

Maybe you will want to remember this, and hopefully it will help you the next time you are faced with any situation that evokes a mixed pot of emotions. Walk through them. Allow them to overlap, and embrace them, allowing them to work for you.

Janet Cassidy

Email me at: jmctm2@gmail.com

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