In this week’s edition of The Presbyterian Outlook, I read a beautiful “lament.” A lament is an expression of grief or sorrow over something; it’s a crying out to God about that grief or sorrow. This lament was written by the Agape Circle Presbyterian Women’s Group at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, Tennessee. I’m sharing a part of their lament, words that capture many things we are feeling these days.
“How Long, O Lord?”
… We lament the losses
of connection to others
during this pandemic
… How long has it been since
we looked each other in the smile?
How long since
friendship’s physical embrace
slowed our heart,
deepened our breath,
and enlivened our spirit?
How long since songs
flowed from hearts,
across vocal cords,
as our voices echoed
off the walls
and were absorbed by one another’s bodies?
How long since our bodies felt
the familiar contour
of pew, cushion and floor,
or maybe choir loft chair;
since our eyes rested
on well-known architectural lines,
and the faces and shapes
of faith companions on the journey,
lit by refraction through stained-glass stories?
Knit us together,
O holy loom-keeper,
removing unjust thoughts
and actions.
Make us your people
and let us once again celebrate
Communion with bread and cup,
shoulder to shoulder
and heart to heart.
Nourish us with your courage,
that we may be and become
your loaf and cup
for our hungry and thirsty world.
I’m thankful for those who find words to give voice to shared feelings of these days. Praying for the time when we can all be together again, and giving thanks for those “streams of mercy, never ceasing,” to carry us through.
Elizabeth
This morning on the third hour of Today, Rabbi Steve Leder and Bishop Kenneth Ulmer joined Hoda and Jenna for a discussion about moving forward as a nation after a divisive presidential election. They talked about the need to listen to each other and remain hopeful for the future.
Acknowledging that some folks are “jubilant” and others are “bummed out” this morning, they spoke of how to mend the gap between groups. Humility, empathy and respect were mentioned as key ingredients. They agreed that real peace is not lack of disagreement, but disagreement with humility, empathy and respect. “We are not enemies; we are opponents with differing views, “ both agreed. The Rabbi observed that if we are shocked that nearly half of those voting have opinions different from ours, then we’ve been in our own little “bubble of ideas,” and we have much learning to do.
In these days that are the best of time and the worst of times, we must understand that God’s love is big enough to embrace our differences, and can help our love grow to do so as well. They encouraged praying for the losing party and for the winning party. They stressed the importance of listening to one another. Rabbi Leder remembered a teacher who once said to him, “I never learned much while I was talking; it was when listening that I learned.” Listening with humility, empathy and respect will bear much fruit. “America will be beautiful again when we crown our good with brotherhood and sisterhood,” said Rabbi Leder.
How to move forward? Little by little. Bishop Ulmer recalled a time in his childhood when he was walking down the street with his father, and a policeman called them the “n-word.” The Bishop said he carried that anger and distrust for years before he could understand that not all policemen were like that one. How did he heal? It happened “relationally,” and he gave thanks for his friendship with the Rabbi – “a gift from God”, he says, socially, psychologically, emotionally, personally.” He affirms that God bring people into our lives to help us to heal in our wounded and broken places.
The Rabbi and the Bishop left their listeners with a challenge, actually a commission - “Let’s take care of each other.” After days and weeks of watching people “talk at” each other, it was a blessing to see people “talking with” one another. May God help us to listen with humility, empathy and respect, and to take care of each other, and with God’s help, find our way forward as individuals and as a nation.
Elizabeth
Jill Duffield, editor of The Presbyterian Outlook, offers this meaningful prayer for election week:
“Lord of all, Lord of conscience, Lord of love, we lament the state of our life together. We sow division rather than seek unity. We demonize instead of love one another. How did we get to this place? How will we ever bridge the gaps between us? Where do we go from here?
We know, gracious God, that we cannot mend all the torn places in the fabric of our country. The rips are too big, the ongoing pulling apart too strong. We know, too, almighty God, that nothing is impossible for you. You bring close those far off from you and those far apart from each other. You promise to do abundantly more than we can ever hope or imagine. You call us to bold ministries of repair and reconciliation, justice and mercy. You command us to love our neighbors, love our enemies, love in ways inexplicably and immeasurably powerful through your Spirit.
As we vote and wait, pray and work, may we follow Jesus Christ so closely that we cannot help but see him everywhere and in all people. Pour out your power, show us your way, turn us toward you and heal our nation. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.”
Giving thanks for Duffield’s prayer, and praying for the future of our nation and our world.
Elizabeth