In John 17, we have what is called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. This is a prayer in three parts: Jesus prays for himself, he prays for his disciples and he prays for the church universal throughout the ages. In praying for the church, Jesus asks that “they may be one, as we are one … so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:22-24) … so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them (John 17:26) … so they may have my joy made complete in themselves.” (John 17: 43)
“In other words,” writes Outlook Editor, Jill Duffield, “if we love Jesus, we will keep his commandments. If we love Jesus, we will love one another no less than Jesus loves us. If we love one another, God loves us.” While this cycle of love, from God through Jesus to us and through us to one another, and back to God above, is good and hope-filled news, Duffield has this to say about that hope:
“I survey the state of creation and giving a defense for the hope within me is challenging because that hope feels lacking. The pandemic's toll grows. The virus' destructive tentacles leave no aspect of our world free of its impact. Somehow our divisiveness has reached the point that the use - or not - of face masks is partisan. Even expressions of unity and the value of each human being - seemingly indisputably good values held by all - are met by derision and personal attacks. In short, I do not feel the love of God swirling and growing, transforming and reconciling in the ways I wish I did.”
(“Looking into the Lectionary,” Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook, May 11, 2020)
I feel much the same way these days. There’s so much blaming and finger-pointing and self-congratulating; events of each day are politicized and viewpoints polarize. In the midst of so much distrust and political rancor, where is concern for the common good? Where is the voice of loving concern that challenges us to look beyond what we want for ourselves to a greater common good? And then there are any number of “conspiracy theories” that cast suspicion on network news, foreign nations, and even pharmaceutical companies. Some religious leaders speak of the pandemic being the work of Satan to deceive, divide and destroy God’s people.
In Holy Chaos: Creating Connections in Divisive Times, Amanda Henderson, interfaith leader, activist and pastor, helps us find connections in the midst of the religious and political divides in our countries, our communities, and our families and friendships. “With warmth, wisdom, compassion, and even humor, Henderson reflects on the core principles of radical loving in chaotic times: rooting down; embracing fear; engaging curiosity; showing up; accepting our brokenness; finding joy in each other; and letting go to chart a way forward with integrity and love in an increasingly hostile world.”
I’m grateful to learn of these “core principles of radical loving - possibilities for “creating connections” among us as we find our way through these troubling and uncertain days. I’m grateful, too, for those streams of mercy, never ceasing, carrying us through this life into all that is to come.
Elizabeth
In these weeks of quarantine, life goes on. The azaleas in my yard have budded, bloomed and faded, the dogwood as well; now rhododendron is in full bloom! Birds are feeding, nesting and singing their way through each day. Deer stop by each evening; moon and stars grace the night sky and evening sounds are peaceful and comforting. I have a safe place to live in a peaceful, loving community, and I have the things I need. My children, though far away, are all doing well; my great-grandson is learning new words each day, and I can hear them on days we Facetime. I’m one of the fortunate ones, yet concern for others fills my heart.
I once read the sometimes you just have to stay silent because no words can explain what’s going on in your mind and heart. For some moments in life, there just are no words that will make life right again, or take it back to the way it was. That’s where I found myself as I sat down to write on Monday morning.
My heart is in touch with the suffering throughout the world these days. It’s a very real, quiet and solitary place, that opens up when my heart makes room for the suffering I see all around, and there are no words to explain. It’s a place far removed from the political, scientific, and religious talk about the Covid-19 Pandemic. It’s a deeper place than “China caused this,” “wash your hands and social distance and flatten the curve,” or “God’s getting our attention – He’s sent plagues before.” It’s a place of weeping for children and parents, for those who’ve lost their jobs, for the homeless and hungry, for the sick and dying and those who care for them, for those who are in vulnerable positions day after day doing essential tasks. A few nights ago, I wept for the people of Africa as I thought about the virus sweeping over that land, and I struggled in prayer for them. Each morning I sing the simple prayer, “Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me.” I believe God does that from time to time, and it’s hard to explain what goes on in my heart and mind when that happens. I once read that pain is “inevitable” but suffering is “optional.” My heart begs to differ – for suffering is not optional in these uncertain days. “Although the world is full of suffering,” Helen Keller reminds us, “it is full also of the overcoming of it.” Her words are words are word of hope.
In times like these, I turn to the words of others to help find my voice. this morning I read:
“There are no words
sometimes
for the pain that finds us.
Only time,
as it drips along
into a new day,
a new breath,
a new hope.”
The words I heard in a song a few days ago were helpful as well:
“What if Your blessings come through raindrops,
what if Your healing comes through tears,
What if a thousand sleepless nights
are what it takes to know You’re near?”
The words of Lamentations 3:21-24 are God’s Word to us this very day and all our days:
“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
Praying for hope in the midst of suffering and the continuing assurance of God’s love and care; praying for words to say what needs to be said, so that hearts might be moved to do what needs to be done; and giving thanks for those streams of mercy, never ceasing!
Elizabeth
I believe each of us has a unique way of looking at life and dealing with life’s challenges. For me, I’ve always seen life as a “journey,” so I’m always “on the move,” even if ever so slowly, never resigning myself to where I am at any given point in time. I once read “No one ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he/she is not the same person.” (Heraclitus) Too, I see the journey of life unfolding in seasons, again and again, and through years of living have come to see that each season yields its fruit. “Seasons” and “journey” can be helpful ways of thinking as we deal with the changes in our lives coming with this Covid 19 Pandemic of 2020.
The words of Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Bible remind us – “for everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;” and from Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God makes everything beautiful in His time” (KJV) or “God makes everything suitable for its time.”(NIV) Looking at one’s life from this perspective is helpful in making it through difficult seasons of life.
Do you remember the song “Turn, Turn, Turn,” by the Byrds? The lyrics come from Ecclesiastes 3, and I’ve found this a helpful “soundtrack” for all the days of my life, and especially meaningful during these days of Covid 19 quarantine.
To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate,
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season ( turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to gain, a time to lose,
A time to rend, a time to sew,
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late
In looking up these lyrics, I remembered they were written by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s. In an interview when introducing the song, Seeger says, “How can we say what needs to be said to each other? … This world has to stick together, and the language of music ties us together in deeper ways than religion, politics or national identity.”
Life is indeed a journey we’re making together, and this season through which we’re passing is one of the toughest faced by our generation.
“To everything (turn, turn, turn)
there is a season (turn, turn turn)
And a time to every purpose under heaven.”
May we learn the lessons to be learned from this season of living and continue on life’s journey together, giving thanks for traveling mercies from our loving God, who promises to be with us always.
Elizabeth