Blessed be the Lord, my Rock! — Psalm 144:1
Mass Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 / Luke 9:18-22
Eileen moved in across the street, and she and Ed had a boy and girl. I had met Eileen before, though it took me a while to place her. A librarian, she had patiently helped me with a reference question. A sweet person, she came to our stoop on long summer nights to quietly talk about the day. She was in her late 30s — her children still in grade school — when she got cancer and died after a valiant struggle.
In today’s first reading we’re reminded there’s a time for everything, even a time to die. It didn’t seem it was Eileen’s time, she was much too young, but her influence continues: Ed still is our good neighbor and the couple’s now-teenage children are warm and loving.
Prayer: Lord, comfort those grieving the loss of a loved one.