Blessing in Mourning

When Jesus said "blessed are those who mourn," he was pointing out the fundamental challenge that lies ahead of every disciple.  The growing disciple is one who see the world in all of its messiness and understands that she is implicated as well!  Indeed, it is in the realization of sin that gives way to God's reconstructive work.

Eugene Peterson writes: "A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way.  As long as we think the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquillity, we are not likely to risk the arduous uncertainties of the life of faith.  A person has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace."

It is the world of grace that the disciple longs for!

Your love covers the multitude of my sins.  So when I am fully aware of my sin, when before the justice of heaven only wrath is pronounced upon me, then you are the only person to whom I can escape.  If I try to cover myself against the guilt of sin and the wrath of heaven, I will be driven to madness and despair.  But if I rely on you to cover my sins, I shall find peace and joy.  You suffered and died on the cross to shelter us from our guilt, and take upon yourself the wrath that we deserve.  Let me rest under you, and may you transform me into your likeness.  --Søren Kierkegaard