The Place of Lament

The coronavirus has turned the world upside down, leaving hundreds of thousands of people grieving and in pain.  At times like this people often ask where faith is and where God is.  I am always tempted to turn to Bishop Tom Wright, who was not only an excellent support and teacher when I was one of his curates but also happens to be one of the wisest and most scholarly people I know.  But if we were hoping that Tom might provide us with simple answers we may be disappointed.  His article on this very subject of coronavirus is entitled: “Christianity Offers No Answers About the Coronavirus. It’s Not Supposed To.” 

He says that seeking quick answers to this suffering is a “knee-jerk reaction". Rather than trying to locate ultimate meaning in answers about what God is doing in all this, he suggests we should follow the psalmists in lament:

“Be gracious to me, Lord for I am languishing" 
"O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.”
“Why do you stand far off, O Lord?”
“Why do you hide yourself in time of trouble?” (Psalm 10)
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?” (Psalm 13).
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22).

For some this might seem like heresy or an unwillingness to give an account for our faith. But, I suspect that this is a deeper realisation that sometimes we just don't have the answers and Bishop Tom says 'Supposing real human wisdom doesn’t mean being able to string together some dodgy speculations and say, “So that’s all right then?' 

The idea that answers are not always easily found is a deeply Biblical one, as the book of Job reminds us. When Job sat in his suffering, his friends sought glib and easy answers.  If instead, they had waited on God, wrestled with God, asked the tough questions, they may like Job have ultimately met with the living God. But even here there is no promise of the answer we long for.  Job did not find out why he suffered, he simply found out that God's plans and purposes were far beyond his questioning and imagining. So perhaps Bishop Tom is correct after all when he quotes T. S. Eliot: “The only advice is to wait without hope, because we’d be hoping for the wrong thing.”

There is a definitely a place for lament at this time. There is the need for a real acknowledgment of 'frustration, sorrow, loneliness and sheer inability to understand what is happening or why'. It is also true that God also laments and grieves and weeps with us.  From the Spirit grieving to Jesus weeping over Lazarus, God expresses sorrow. Sometimes we have to hold that sorrow and sadness.  Sometimes we have to stay with that lament and it may take some time. It may take a long time.

But slowly and gently, only when the lament is subsiding, may we raise our head from lament (and this is where Tom may disagree with me or perhaps he is not in that place yet). We do so without all the answers but with the knowledge that God is with us and with the hope he promises: a new heaven and new earth, radiant with the glory of God, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). Until then we join with the Psalmists lament. 

To read Tom Wrights article click here: https://time.com/5808495/coronavirus-christianity/
 

The Revd Becky Lumley

A simple form of evening prayer and candle lighting *

At St Mary's we would like to invite you to join us in a short time of prayer every day at 7pm. It involves lighting a candle and placing it in the window and then saying the following prayers as individuals or as households.  I have picked readings for each day and this week's theme is that of peace. 

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.

O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

The following may be listened to

Jesus remember me

The reading for the day is based on John 14 (see below)**
 

The candle is lit and the following prayer is said
Heavenly Father, accept this burning candle as a sign of faith and love.
Like this candle, bring light into our world
Even as this candle is lit may we know your presence
and be consumed in the warmth of your love.
In your mercy, Lord hear our prayer.

In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night watch looks for the morning
so do we look for you, O Christ.

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.Amen.

The Readings are from John 14
and allow us some time of deeper reflection on this important passage
We have treated the text as we would if we were meditating on each element
 

Monday
Jesus said "Do not let your hearts be troubled" 

Tuesday
Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me."

Wednesday
Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Thursday
Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 

Friday
Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?

Saturday
Jesus “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”