Feasting with Hope even in grief
Peace Found in the Silence of Sorrow
“When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.””
John 20:19-21 CSB
On this day, I am revisiting the encounter between Jesus and His disciples when they were hiding behind locked doors. I can relate to them—grief has a way of hijacking even the simplest of tasks with fear. Fear that I will not be able to be authentically myself in grief. Fear that I will grieve too much. Fear that I will be found hiding.
Yet our Savior walks through the fear and enters our dark and hidden spaces to fill them with Himself—for He is our peace. The darkest moments can’t stay dark at the light of His brilliance. The valleys of shadow and death are not void of His presence. He steps right in and is present with us. Holding all things together as only He can.
May this bright week continue to remind us of His brilliant love for us.
Bright Week
Something I am learning about bright week.
“Every Bright Week we celebrate as much as we can. Each day we make or we buy food that we have been fasting from, we enjoy desserts, and we spend quality time with our immediate family and our dearest relatives and friends.
After the long journey of Holy and Great Lent and Great and Holy Week a weeklong celebration is needed. This really helps to emphasize for all the children the joy of the Risen Christ. It is important that they, as Christian children, experience the true joys in this life which are a foretaste of the heavenly joys that awaits those who believe in the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ” from St Andrew Greek Orthodox Church
And so we did just this today. As a family we went to Grater’s for ice cream and feasted. We tried new flavors and pursued heart connection.
Lord, help us find joy even when celebrating feels hard. You have invited us to feast and you will guide us now even as you did during the fast. Amen
He has drawn near and we are never the same again.
Gracefully,
Daisy
Beautiful ❤️