So Many losses! Sometimes it seems as if human life is filled with one loss after another. Loss of security in the family as a young child goes off to school for the first time. Loss of friends, loss of job, loss of dreams – and the list could go on. As life twists and turns, we find ourselves in circumstances we never expected to experience.
When loss impacts our life, we often are tempted to bitterness and resentment. We may say to ourselves “Why me?” or cry out at the injustice of the world. We may hang our head in sorrow as if the weight of life has cast our spirits down and it appears there is no hope of revival.
The Scripture
This is where the gospel reading on the Road to Emmaus begins. Two disciples who loved Jesus dearly have had all their hopes and dreams for a peaceable kingdom led by Jesus, lost to the reality of crucifixion. And yet through their journey as they returned home, to a place now that no longer felt the same after three amazing years of walking with Jesus, an unrecognizable stranger joined them on the journey.
As they walked along listening to this stranger, their hearts began to burn with a deep knowing. This soul deep knowing had not yet reach their conscious understanding and they listened intently with the inner ear of their heart. But understanding was hidden from their minds.
Does that happen in our losses? Sometimes the grief and sorrow so overpower our mind and emotions that even when an unknown stirring of God – possibility comes, we remain trapped in our sorrowful feeling in the depths of despair. Miraculously the disciples did not remain in that bondage of grief. God had other plans.
When they arrived home, they invited the risen Jesus in to share a meal. It was at table that their eyes and hearts were opened and they recognized the One who was with them. The Risen Jesus turned their sorrow and sighing into joy and dancing. A glimpse of his presence so empowered them that they turned right around and headed back to where they had come from. They were bursting with passionate joy to share the amazing delight that Christ is Risen! Once in Jerusalem with the other disciples they heard the fantastic news that at the same moment when they were at table with the risen Lord, Christ had also appeared to Simon. Christ is not limited by time or space and can be present to each of us in our own greatest needs. Our losses are not the last word. New life is possible within the most disorienting moments of human life.
Today’s Prayer Practice
The prayer experience for today to put the pieces together of our griefs, losses, disappointments in life. In joining the pieces of disorientation in life and placing them under blessing we may see how God mysteriously knits our hearts and lives together with new life. I invite you to click the link to discover a picture for prayer today.
If you click the above link you will find a picture of a dog face puzzle. There is one piece missing from the picture. When you have access to a printer, print two copies of this puzzle. Next, cut the pieces of the puzzle apart. Whiling cutting them apart contemplate how life has throw you many unexpected twists and turns. Are there losses that burden your heart, little resentments that threaten to harden your heart or cause disappointment which swell within with great emotion?
Next after contemplating your losses through life, take the puzzle pieces, now cut apart and write on the back side of each peace a word that tells the story of when you have experienced the living presence of God. Maybe it is a time when fear was overcome with gratitude. Or possibly the peace which settled upon your heart at the end of a long day as you were embraced with family and friends. Let each puzzle piece become a word expressing times your have noticed God’s power, presence and prayer within your life. Be specific in the words you write on your puzzles pieces as you bring to mind an awareness of how God is present in your life. When has God turned your mourning into dancing and joy? Imagine, if you are in life’s difficult place at this moment, how God’s promises can come to life within you and write God’s promises on the puzzle pieces. Maybe the words you desire to write on the puzzle pieces are things that you are thankful for.
Once you have labeled each piece with a reality and promise of God’s presence in your life, then put the pieces of the puzzle back together. (To assist in putting the puzzle together, place the piece on top of the second printed puzzle sheet.) When your puzzle is all together again, place the completed puzzle on your home altar giving thanks as you celebrate God’s amazing ways of love within your life. Truly God making a new creation of you in this moment of life by Jesus; risen Holy Spirit.
Invitation to Contemplation
After completion of your jigsaw prayer, consider if you would like to continue the discipline of Love Letter writing. If so, you may desire to contemplate what it was like to cut apart your losses and griefs and then discover the many ways God is present and promising new life to you. What new invitations and discoveries did you make about the character of God and your relationship with God through praying with this jigsaw puzzle picture?
When you are finished with your contemplative pause and pondering, you may close with this prayer of blessing or one of your own crafting.
Holy Amazing God, we are humbled by your miraculous love for your creation. Thank you for loving each of us with the fullness of your heart. Even when our human experience become difficult and sorrow filled, you breath deeply within us and lead us to new hope. Thank you for your constant and consistent love . Truly we yearn to live your love as you heal our woundedness within. Through your tender embrace we become even more. Thank you for gifting us to become your new creation through each moment of our lives. Amen.
