The Power of Focused Grieving
- davidwperk
- Jul 4
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, July 4, 2025
Proper 8, the week of the third Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrase for reflection from today’s reading:
31For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’
(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 972)
AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12)
1 Samuel 13:19-14:15 ; Acts 9:1-9; Luke 23:26-31
Today we celebrate Independence Day. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
“Only a God in whose perfect Being pain has its place can win and hold our worship; for otherwise the creature would in fortitude surpass the Creator.” * So observed Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple in his classic reflection on John’s Gospel. Our Gospel opens a bit of a window into that pain today. Women were following the procession expressing their grief at Jesus’ suffering by beating their breasts and weeping. But, in a strange twist, Jesus discouraged their grieving for him and redirected it toward their own plight.
In the final line, we find a mysterious little proverb, “If they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Jesus already had predicted the destruction of Jerusalem; here he looked ahead to that horrific moment when Roman armies in 70 CE would breach the walls and devastate the city. The present situation, with only Jesus and the two thieves at risk, corresponds to the green wood. The decade of the 60’s, with the country in rebellion and Roman legions razing the city and destroying the Temple corresponds to the dry wood.
Jesus, in the midst of his own agony, suffered the pain of an impinging vision. He envisioned these weepers, their children and grandchildren, starving, dying by the sword, or hanging on crosses. The pain in the heart of the Savior exceeded that in the hearts of those grieving for him. Had Jerusalem responded to his message of peace, that future cataclysm could have been avoided. In the spirit of the prophets, like Jeremiah, Jesus grieved over an unresponsive people, grieved even in the moment of his own death.
If we find ourselves grieving over his sufferings, what would Jesus say to us? Perhaps he would say that we should unite our grieving hearts with the heart of a grieving God to spare ourselves unbearable personal and national suffering. Were we to open ourselves up to God with a profound faith that was willing to heed God’s voice no matter what, we would spare ourselves the risks of living without heed to the voice of God.
What would Jesus say to us about the “Jerusalem” of our lives? If we do bring ourselves into more full alignment with God’s voice, what do we have to say to a culture rushing toward catastrophe, to parents ignoring the spiritual formation of their children, to addicts self destructing, to the raging who despise those different from them, to the amoral seeking immediate fulfillment? Can the grief of the creator find expression in our own hearts and prompt us to more urgent mission and witness?
Collect of the Day, Proper 8, The third Sunday after Pentecost
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 230)
Today we celebrate Independence Day.
Collect of Independence Day
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Cross
Especially suitable for Fridays
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 253)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of
our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 280)
Daily Office Gospel, Luke 23:26-31
26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” 30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” 31For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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