March 25, 2026

Wednesday Word . . . More on Hope

Deal graciously with Daniel, Jamai, and Mackenzie in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss . . . – BCP 494

I use this prayer from the Burial Office to remind people attending funerals that the family members of the deceased are in the midst of grief and need support. I also use it to remind the family of the deceased that they are being upheld in prayer and support.

This family recently lost their 14-year old son and brother to suicide. I heard about it at Youth Group last week, and I attended a candle-light vigil at CCMS held on Monday night, March 16.

The death of a son, brother, friend, grandson, nephew at this young age is devastating for those who are left to deal with the loss. Questions of why, or guilt over missing signs, flood minds. Unimaginable grief overwhelms family members as they live in a house no longer occupied by their child and brother. Thoughts of “lasts” – last meals, last conversations, last arguments, last days – become a permanent fixture in memories. Never agains, never wills, and what ifs creep into imaginations.

The reasons for someone dying by suicide are wide ranging – from addiction to bullying, chronic pain to divorce, financial insecurity to long-term unemployment, and so many others. And in the end, the suicidal person has a belief that they would be better off by removing the pain from their lives, or that everyone around them would be better off if they were gone. Either way the decision is made because of an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.

What can be done? That is a hard question to answer. But we can look for, and be aware of, signs that a person is struggling. We can remind them that there are resources available of qualified and trained people who will talk with them. We can remind them of the 988 Life Line. We can remind them that their story is not yet over. We can remind them that they are loved. We can stress that our lives are better with them than without them.

And sometimes we can't see the signs because, as Robin Williams said, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” So it just might be that, by casually talking about resources in everyday conversations, you will unknowingly provide a Lifeline people need.

Our Baptismal Covenant reminds us that our lives are inescapably interconnected with other lives. As we continue in fellowship, as we persevere in resisting evil, as we proclaim the Good News of God in Christ, and as we work to love our neighbors as ourselves, may we always work to provide hope for the people we know and meet.

May our eyes be ever open to seeing hopelessness so that we can offer the love and hope of Christ,