Although human beings experience grief as one of life's most common experiences, we are always unprepared for it and it continually requires us to learn and adapt to new circumstances. Grief is not just about death. Grief is an emotion or various emotions that human beings experience when they experience a loss of any kind.
There are no "experts" in the pain of loss; it always has a dimension of originality: in the way it manifests itself, in its causes, and in the various reactions it triggers. Many times we find ourselves suffering deeply for reasons we never expected.
The Holy Father John Paul IIIn his letter, he writes: "Human suffering arouses compassion; it also arouses respect, and in its own way, it is frightening. Indeed, in it is contained the greatness of a specific mystery [...] man, in his suffering, is an intangible mystery."
This human experience moves us to seek the help of others and to offer, in turn, our support. The experience of overcoming griefteaches us to pay more attention to others who suffer. The experience of pain makes the difference between a mature person, who is capable of facing obstacles and difficult situations, and a person who is carried away and absorbed by his or her own
Faith is the best refuge for those who have to go through the process of overcoming the grief of a loss of any kind and particularity. Faith gives us the strength, calmness and serenity necessary to lighten the pain of grief.
"The resurrection of Jesus not only gives the certainty of life beyond death, but also illuminates the very mystery of death for each of us. If we live united to Jesus, faithful to Him, we will be able to face even the passage of death with hope and serenity." (Pope Francis, General Audience November 27, 2013).
will come inexorably. Therefore, what a hollow vanity to center one's existence in this life! Look how so many suffer. Some, because it ends, find it painful to leave it; others, because it lasts, find it boring... There is no room, in any case, for the erroneous sense of justifying our passage on earth as an end.
We must leave this logic behind and anchor ourselves in the other: in the eternal logic. A total change is needed: an emptying of oneself, of self-centered motives, which are outdated, in order to be reborn in Christ, who is eternal. (Furrow, 879)
Do not be afraid of death. -Accept it, from now on, generously..., when God wills..., as God wills..., wherever God wills. -Do not doubt it: it will come at the time, in the place and in the way that suits you best..., sent by your Father-God. -Welcome to our sister death! (Road, 739).
Supernatural vision! Calm! Peace! Look at things, people and events..., with eyes of eternity.
So, any wall that blocks your way - even if, humanly speaking, it is imposing - as soon as you really raise your eyes to Heaven, what a small thing it is!Forge, 996).
By choosing the Incarnation, Jesus Christ wanted to experience all the suffering humanly possible to teach us that love can overcome any kind of pain. It is possible to overcome grief by looking at the life of Jesus and following in his footsteps.
Pain is a meeting point between the joy of hope and the need for prayer. Christians accept pain with the hope of future joy. They are fully aware of their limits and rely on the help implored from God in prayer.
Suffering is only a part of the journey, a passing place; it is never the final station. Thus, prayer becomes an important moment where suffering finds its meaning and, with God's grace, becomes joy.
Prayer is a fundamental support in the process of coming to terms with and overcoming a loss. The purifying effect of prayer becomes a reality because, every time a person prays, he or she experiences the God's mercy and share their concerns and problems.
However, there are moments in this journey in which the experience of pain forges a man's life. It is no longer a question of accepting or rejecting pain, but of learning to consider suffering as part of our own existence and as part of God's plan for each of us.
Grieving the loss of a loved one is natural and inevitable. However, overcoming it is not easy, and sometimes, for various reasons, there are those who remain stuck in this pain. For this reason, there are many Catholic Foundations that offer support, organize groups of accompaniment to return to life after the death of a loved one and overcome their loss.
In order to cope with the pain of grief, one must be aware of the importance of the spiritual accompaniment in those difficult moments. There is no one-size-fits-all prescription; its particularities make each case unique and particular.
They say that "pain comes from the body and suffering from the soul", but it is necessary to help the companions to be serene and "at peace with God", since, in this way, "this serenity is transmitted". Something that, later on, will make mourning easier in some way.
When speaking of people in the process of overcoming grief, priests emphasize one word: hope. Hope helps them to reposition themselves in spiritual terms, to find their place again, even in religious practice, which they may have abandoned. They must be made to see that God did not send them the pain they are experiencing, but that he loves them.
For this reason, Pope Francis encourages, "do not stop talking to Our Lord and to his Mother, the Blessed Virgin. She always helps us.
Bibliography:
Catechism of the Catholic Church.
OpusDei.org
