Recently I read an article about what makes a Catholic school different and how it is hard to explain this in words and yet is very tangible when you are in a Catholic school. The author suggests that it is the presence of the risen Christ amongst us which makes the difference. This is particularly true and of particular importance in the face of tragedy. It may well be that grief stops people from being able to recognize the risen Christ and this happened with the disciples as well c.f. the Road to Emmaus but He is present amongst us and it is on Him that we must rely when we comfort others.

In the story of the Road to Emmaus Saint Luke tells us that the disciples were prevented from recognizing Christ but He opened the scriptures to them and they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. The parallel for us is that in the midst of our grief Christ is present amongst us and, in particular, in the Eucharist that we celebrate at a requiem Mass. The Risen Christ is present amongst us. This is what should give us the hope that transforms any grief or loss and this is what we should gently hold up to those in pain and sadness. This is our faith. The faith of the Incarnation, the faith of God made man walking with us on this earth so that He could go through suffering and death to be with us on our journey.

If you feel in the dark at this time, for whatever reason, ask Christ to reveal His risen presence to you. One way is to think over the last twenty four hours in a quiet, prayerful, candle lit way beginning by asking Christ to show you His risen presence in the day just gone and at the end of the prayer ask Him to guide you over the next twenty four hours as the Way, the Truth and the Life.