It’s a week now since we received the cross of ashes. Its shape most likely disappeared by bedtime and most certainly washed away in the cleansing waters of Thursday morning. You’d like to think its memory has lingered a while and grounded us a little.
Today’s photo is from our November Prayers in Culmore Cemetery. As the prayers concluded, the sun came out and rose to a point in the sky where it cast a long shadow over the people as they walked and talked following our prayers. I thought of the shadow the cross casts over so many people and, unlike the one in the photo, the cross with all its weight and pain doesn’t fade quickly or pass from sight in the twinkle of an eye or shifting of the clouds.
A thought today for those so burdened. Parents grieving the loss of a child – maybe a child they never got to say hello to or one who lived and loved and left. Husbands, wives, parents, children, friends, neighbours trying to come to terms with their grief and loss. We think of those meeting doctors today who may not have a good story to hear. We remember all battling addiction and pray strength and guidance for them. We pray for healing and forgiveness for those who have been hurt by life’s experiences. We pray and, with Simon and Veronica, allow ourselves to step from or be taken from the crowd to bring healing, a soothing hand and a caring word.
The shadow cast by the cross runs long and deep but let us pray that it be a shadow that will in time – sooner rather than later – give way to hope.
Leonard Cohen put it well in his prayer for healing:
“The splinters that we carry – the cross we left behind – come healing of the body – come healing of the mind.”