The Daily Office for May 8, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 61
Leviticus 16:20-24
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 6:16-18
Reading (Leviticus 16:20-24)
Reflection
Is there anything tougher than trying to comfort someone at a funeral? Often the best we can hope for in a situation like that is not to say something that causes even more pain. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, you probably know that people can say some inappropriate things when they’re trying to “comfort” you.
Christ’s resurrection opened the door for all believers to be resurrected, so death is certainly not the end. There’s never been a grave dug that could hold the spirit of a believer. The trite saying still rings true: Christians who have died are in a much better place than we are.
Collect for the Day
Most holy God, the ground of our beseeching, who through your servant Julian revealed the wonders of your love: grant that as we are created in your nature and restored by your grace, our wills may be so made one with yours that we may come to see you face to face and gaze on you for ever; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.