For grief

This plan is for when someone is missing. It is in no hurry and does not promise that the pain passes in six days. The chosen passages do two things: they give permission to cry and they say that death is not the last word.

Matthew 5:4 is the second beatitude of the Sermon on the Mount: blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Jesus does not ask the one who weeps to stop. Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and Psalm 116:15 says the death of the faithful is precious in his sight. In John 11:25, Jesus says «I am the resurrection and the life» to Martha, at the tomb of Lazarus, and a few verses later the text records that he himself wept (11:35). 1 Thessalonians 4:13 was written to a young church that was losing members and did not know what to think: Paul does not forbid sorrow, but asks that it not be like that of those who have no hope. Revelation 21:4, the last text, promises that God will wipe away every tear and that death, mourning and pain will cease.

Read one passage a day. If you prefer, say aloud the name of the one who left before you begin. There is no right order and you may stay for days on a single passage.