Pain Immemorial

"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children."

Mt 2:13-18

What pain is felt by a parent at the death of their young child! Innocent, tender, their treasure has forever left their loving arms to reside beyond their sight. The care they had lavished upon their little one must now be redirected selfward. This is a struggle, because comfort is much easier to offer then to receive. No space remains in their mind to contemplate hope: rather, their every step and breath suffice to assure they possess it still. Indeed, they possess it more than ever before. They live its testimony.

Yet Christ's victory over death offers immeasurable balm to the grieving parent's soul. No longer have we any need to weep for our deceased children: in vain does one weep at the death of a saint. Our tears evidence only the love we will always have for our baby. We can take comfort in the gentleness of Christ's embrace of our child's body, the sweetness of his kiss upon our child's head. Our child is in heaven, and the purgatory we are living now will expedite our reunion with them upon our death. The cross of surrender is enwreathed by a strange, joyful sorrow. Rachel weeps inconsolably, but we smile through our tears. Jesus Christ has risen. Death now bows to hope.