Why do we mourn?

Why do we mourn?

These past few years – few weeks even – have featured times of grieving and mourning. We have to make peace with the fact that death is a natural part of our lives; but that peace does not dilute the strength of emotions we feel when we lose someone.

In a way, making peace with death allows us to fully appreciate both life and death, and how precious the time we spend with each other really are.

We mourn because we have opened our hearts. We exchanged vulnerabilities with each other, and in doing so, we share a piece of ourselves. When a loved one dies, it really does feel like a piece of ourselves die as well. But at least, with faith, a piece of ourselves also go to heaven together with the loved ones we have lost here on Earth.

But as our departed loved ones carry a piece of our selves, for us who have stayed, we carry a piece of them as well. And that piece, I’d like to interpret, is what makes our heart heavy. We feel the weight of their love that they have left behind, and this weight is a mixture of grief and joy with just the right amount of faith.

We mourn because we loved and were loved.

—
Matthew 5:1-12. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 305: NOVEMBER 1, 2022]