June 8, 2022

The Year of our Lord, Jesus Christ

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Why? Perhaps this may help. In the early to mid 1800’s Horace Greely wrote “Great grief makes sacred those upon whom its hand is laid. Joy may elevate, ambition may glorify, but only sorrow can consecrate.” Mourning, grieving, and sorrow are synonyms. This emotion of the soul comes from suffering a great loss. Any loss. How can mourning bring blessings?

Being comforted in them. That’s how. If Mr. Greely was right, mourning leads to consecration. Concerning the Christian life, consecration is an attribute that none covet, but all who consecrate themselves to the Lord find themselves comforted. Now and forever comfort is available to the child of God. But sometimes the blessing of comfort is only realized through great suffering or loss, for without these undesired experiences the blessings of comfort may never be realized.

Consider Psalm 34:18: The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. A broken heart and a contrite spirit are the outcroppings of mourning. When the Lord is close, comfort is at hand. When He saves, comfort follows. Just as a parent will draw close and comfort their child who has been hurt, so too will the Lord draw close to His children and comfort them in their time of suffering, grieving, and loss.

One of the nine Beatitudes is comfort for all who mourn. That is their unique blessing.

Until next time,

William T. Howe, Ph.D.