The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’
2 Samuel 18.33
For some reason, that verse from yesterday's reading in the book of Samuel leapt out at me. What a heartrending cry! I have never lost a child, but I know folks who have, and I can't even imagine what it must be like. I still pray that I die before my children or grandchildren. What that verse must mean to parents who have lost a child to death! "Oh yes, that's my cry, too!"
O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust our children, those who still live and those who have passed on, to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 494)
That passage has always made me cry. It anguish contained and conveyed in so few words are beyond comprehension.
ReplyDeleteAnguish, indeed, James.
ReplyDeleteI edited my contribution to the prayer a bit.
Yes losing a child must be heartrending anguish. Losing an elderly parent is sad but expected as the way of life. We just saw on TV the funeral of a family that were all murdered a few weeks ago. Mother, Father, 2 young boys. The grief of the paternal grandparents was more than I could bear to watch.
ReplyDeleteI'm working my way through Resilience, by Elizabeth Edwards and this is a lady who has been through so much. It is a sad, and beautiful tribute to the resilience we all need!
ReplyDelete