Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

A few years ago, a proud and wealthy man remarked publicly that Christianity was a “religion for losers”.  The sad and comic thing about this was that the man seemed to be utterly unaware that we are all—even proud and rich men—destined to lose: if not our riches, then our loved ones, our health, our youth, our lives.  In that hour, we are all losers, and our stock portfolios will be bitter cold comfort.  Jesus, in his wisdom, counsels us to remember that mourning and loss are part of this fallen world and that such a world is not worth our worship.  He also reminds us that mourning is not the whole story, for his comfort breaks into the deepest darkness, as it broke into the grave on the first Easter morning.  Those who believe this have nothing to lose and everything to gain.