When Words Are Not Enough

Scripture

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? …. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NIVUK)

When Words Are Not Enough

The old joke goes “At my age I read the obituaries in the morning and if I don’t see my name in them, I carry on with my day”. Now that’s not how I plan my day, but I do read the obituaries -there are friends that need a word of comfort.  Many end with some variation on “a celebration of the life of our beloved …. will be held at a later date when the pandemic is over”. Will the economy and our calendars be able to handle the rush of events and catering expenditure for this catch-up?

Our province still restricts our activity so we have a bit more time to think about how we may respond to the opportunity to dine together, make a toast, offer hugs, celebrate a birth or wedding or offer comfort after a death. So many of these celebrations have been delayed but soon we can be in them with care, compassion and joy - seeing how valuable they are to us based on the ache from their absence.

Like the first taste of a crisp apple, a fine wine or a creamy ice cream cone we can savour the presence of our friend, family member in the flesh, not on a screen. All the accumulated joys and sorrows of our lives will be present to one another without the necessity of words. Jesus entered time in history to humanly express divine love because words were not enough. His presence to us teaches us how to be present to one another.

A Prayer for Today

God of love, you revealed yourself in Jesus, we remember him who came because words were not enough. He showed us how to value each one who comes into our lives, speaking loving truth, listening deeply to needs and offering hope and health in forgiveness. Help us to treasure the ones we can be present with at this time and treasure even more those we will greet as our days become freer …. For Jesus’ sake