"May the family and friends of the deceased be consoled from the sorrow and confusion that comes from grief and be given the hope that comes from faith in Christ."
Prayer from the funeral liturgy
Why was it so difficult for the disciples to recognize the risen Lord?
St. Augustine presented some theories as to why those closest to Jesus, those who spent three years with Him, listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, experienced His transfiguration, were dim in their perceptions of Christ risen.
Jesus' death shattered their hopes and dreams. They were so disturbed when they saw Jesus come to this tragic end that they forgot His teachings and failed to keep in mind His promises. Two disciples, one being Cleopas, in making their short journey to Emmaus outside Jerusalem portrayed the disarray and confusion felt by all the disciples at this point of time.
There's a prayer of intercession in the funeral liturgy that reflects the state of mind of those lost in grief. "May the family and friends of the deceased be consoled from the sorrow and confusion that comes from grief and be given the hope that comes from faith in Christ."
For the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, we see the change that happened as their eyes were opened to the presence of Jesus. Instead of being in a state of despair, confusion, and down casted, their hope is restored and they immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the good news to the other apostles: "We have seen the Lord".
We have to pray for those who may not, for any reason, be able to see and experience faith at a time of great loss. They have the sense of being abandoned by God. When they look out into the world with all their confusion, disappointment and lost hope, they need to know that Christ is present with them in their struggle. When this is realized, a turning point begins in their lives towards restoration and acceptance.
In the post Pentecost experiences found in Acts, we see Peter and John assuming renewed confidence and conviction that comes from their faith in the risen Christ. There is no longer the confusion or disarray they once experienced. Their outward lives now reflect their inner disposition of faith in Christ. In fact, they are now doing the very work that Jesus Himself did as they heal the man at the beautiful gate who was crippled from birth. It is this faith in Christ that allows them to live to their greatest potential.
It is this same confidence and hope that we too can attain through faith in Christ during our times of struggle and loss.
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