Thought for the Week – from the Rev. David Jones

The tragic news that all four miners trapped at the Gleision mine had lost their lives shattered the early optimism and hope that they might have survived.

 

In previous generations the coalfield communities of South Wales often had to bear the sorrow of such loss, but the gradual closure of the pits has brought the expectation that such tragedies were now part of history –sadly, as we have seen in recent days, this is not so.

As these bereaved families now face a future without their loved ones and a whole community mourns, we are reminded once again of the true cost of coal. .

That the hopes for their rescue were eventually shattered was in no way due to the outstanding efforts of the rescue and support services who were at the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised.

There’s no doubt that many of the rescuers put their own lives on the line. It’s also true that everyone in the locality came together and in simple acts of care and kindness gave us a glimpse of what community really means. The families of those lost will continue to be cradled in the love, compassion and prayers of those around them as they grieve and in sorrow face the future without those they have loved.

If such a movement of love and empathy arise when we hear of the pain and sorrow of others, how much more is God’s heart moved. Jesus shared with his disciples not the assurance that they would be exempt from the losses and tragedies of life, but that within such sufferings God would make His peace and presence known.

That is our prayer for all who today are in deep sorrow – May the peace of Christ be theirs.

Click here to find out more about The Rev. David Jones.

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