Over recent weeks, I have found myself having many conversations with parishioners who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Some losses have been sudden, others have come after long illness; some grief is fresh and raw, while other grief has quietly accompanied people for years. Yet in every conversation I have been reminded of one profound truth: when we love deeply, we grieve deeply. Loss touches every family, every community, and, at some stage, every one of us.
It is perhaps fitting, then, that on Sunday 18th October we celebrate St Luke’s Day, we reflect on both healing and hope. St Luke was a physician, a companion of St Paul, and the author of the Gospel that bears his name. More than any other Gospel writer, Luke draws our attention to people who are suffering, grieving, or in need of compassion. He presents Jesus as the one who comes alongside the broken-hearted and brings comfort, healing, and restoration.
For those who mourn, Luke's Gospel contains some of Scripture's most reassuring passages. We read of Jesus's tenderness towards the widow of Nain, whose only son had died. We hear the parable of the Good Samaritan, showing us the importance of practical compassion. We encounter the risen Christ walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, listening patiently to their sorrow before revealing himself to them. These stories remind us that God is never distant from our pain.
One of the most comforting truths of the Christian faith is that Jesus himself knew grief. He wept at Lazarus's tomb. He experienced loss and sorrow. Because of this, we worship a Saviour who understands our tears and walks with us through the darkest valleys.
Yet Luke never leaves us with grief alone. His Gospel points consistently towards hope. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, death is no longer the end of the story. We entrust those we love to God's eternal care and hold fast to the promise that one day God will wipe away every tear.
As we remember St Luke, may his example inspire us to be compassionate, supporting those who mourn and reflecting Christ's love in practical ways. And may all who grieve know the comfort of God's presence and the hope of the resurrection, today and always.
You can find hope in joining us at our services on Sunday 1st November: All Souls Service, 3:30 pm at St Mary’s, and Faure’s Requiem, 6:30 pm at St. Peter and St. Paul.
Your children can find Joy Light Party @ St. Mary’s 31 October 2026 3-5 PM Our party is aimed at children up to 13 years old. Parents are to stay and join in the fun. Book your tickets here: https://st-marys-light-party.eventbrite.co.uk
May you find peace in these days
Father Paul