Daily Devotion for Lent 2018 - Day 18, Tuesday

Scripture Reading: Genesis 23 (NRSV)

Death has come in today's reading to the matriarch Sarah.  At 127, she is the only female in the Bible to have her long age lifted up as an example of God's blessing on her.  

Abraham goes to mourn and weep for his wife.

This passage reminds us that everyone dies and we all experience loss.  How we each cope with this loss is different.

To bury one in a cave or underground gives

the impression of returning from 

the underworld following the funeral.

Abraham seems to cope by dickering with the Hittites for a cave and a field as a burial site.  As we read the passage, we are reminded that we live in a culture where most of the time, the price is already fixed.  This was not so in Abraham's time.  It first seems that Ephron is just going to give him the property.  It is possible that this was for appearances and that Abraham made the proper response.  If he would have simply said, "Okay, thanks!" this would likely have been a slight on Abraham's honor and would have likely insulted the owner.  There is evidently a dance to the negotiation.

These negotiations may have helped him with the grieving process.  Today, we may go and try to figure out a casket or a burial plot.  The ornate workings on the coffin are definitely for the living but sadly, will only be seen for a day or two before it goes under the earth.  My practical nature makes me wonder if we could rent a nice casket and then bury the person in a pine box.

We know that Jesus also experienced grief.  He wept at the tomb of Lazarus.  Of course, he then raised Lazarus from the dead which halted everyone's grief but Lazarus eventually died again.

One piece of the human condition is that most people try to delay the inevitable.  Grieving a loved one is so hard because it is a shock to the system that someday we will be gone too.  As we realize that we are a part of the larger human story, it may help to witness the lives that have preceded us.  And we know that we are preceding others who will go on after us.  May our lives mark something important for them to emulate.

Welcome, Lord, into your calm and peaceful kingdom those who,
out of this present life, have departed to be with you;
grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just;
and give them the life that knows not age,
the reward that passes not away;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Prayer by Ignatius of Loyola, Spain, 16th century

Photo by Monika via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.