THE force of our Master's benediction upon them "that mourn," lies in the idea conveyed by the word "comforted ;" but mortals are so prone to reverse spiritual ideas and look at all things materially, that they too frequently miss the comfort because attention is centered upon the mourning, failing to see that in order to experience the former we must forsake the latter. The thought of mourning always brings with it a sense of loss, and for this reason we have formed the habit of classifying as mourners only those people whose dearest earthly ties have been sundered. Certain it is that such as these may with confidence lay hold upon the comforts of infinite Love. There are no vacuums, and when a climax of the human sense of loss occurs, those who have learned to look to God for solace, do indeed find that the flood-gates of Love are opened to them, and they feel the strong, deep currents of eternal Love bearing away their sorrow. At such times, the wealth of love that is reflected in the world, despite appearances to the contrary, reveals itself, and friends vie with one another in expressing tenderness and sympathy toward them that mourn. Indeed, through the potency of infinite Love, enmity is ofttimes dissolved and a reconciliation effected which might not have been attempted when the skies were sunny and hearts were careless. No possible demand can overtax Love's inexhaustible wealth of peace and comfort, or its power to provide channels for its manifestation.
In times of seeming sorrow we should search for the purpose of God toward man, not in the affliction, but in the unchanging consolations of divine Love. The Master's benediction implies that mourners need not continue to mourn, but that they should accept the peace which comes with the truer consciousness of Love. Our revered Leader tells us that "sorrow is not the master of joy" (Science and Health, p. 304), and the truth of being is so penetratingly affirmative in its nature that even those who are uninstructed in spiritual truth, feel the compelling logic of harmony, and expect mourners to cease mourning and contribute their reasonable share of sunshine to the general atmosphere. Usually, the human sense of patience is soon exhausted with the type of mourner that nurses grief and complains of feeling more deeply than do other people.
Wholesome reaction against grief is a gleam of light from the truth that sorrow is unreal, and is consequently unknown in the realm of Spirit. This does not mean that the precious urn of tender memories should be ruthlessly demolished. It only means that it is the duty no less than the privilege of mourners to accept the comfort so divinely provided, and then, O miracle of Love! our loved ones are given back to us in a purified, spiritualized ideal that cannot be lost, and the truer ties that link God's children are seen to be forever established. Blessed indeed is he for whom the marvel of heavenly comfort is wrought through Love's assuaging power.
