Life Together
Life Together is Such as Time as This
This past week I participated in the Bishop’s Gathering in Scottsdale where we were led by the President of Wartburg Seminary and Rev. Dr. S. Helen Chukka who is the Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible, Wartburg Theological Seminary.
This discussion was one that followed Dietrick Bonehoffer’s book, “Life Together” and the discussion of lament and hope in troubled times such as the ones we are going through in today’s culture and the political division of our country. I would like to share with you some of my reflections on loneliness, which is a part of the lament we are going through as a nation. We also reflected on the Old Testament stories from the Israelites on loss and lament.
Dr. Chukka said that we are a lonely society as a result of our divisions. In fact, studies show that there is actually an epidemic of loneliness as trust is down in so many institutions including the church. We have been driven to a much more individualistic society where we have become rather contentious and fractured as a people in our nation. Argumentative? Yes, it seems that we tend to be armed to fight when it comes to discussing politics or cultural differences and have very little patience or interest in hearing other views other than our own. For me this is another reason for lament. It seems as if we are surrounded by loss and isolation. I hate to be a “Debbie Downer”, but this is where lots of people and it has even caused a crisis in faith.
The crisis affects where people are finding God. Some people who no longer seek God in church are seeking technology and certain apps on the phone to find God. They feel that some pastors and congregations are not able to cater to the needs of the community, so they seek other places. They are longing for God but are not finding God in church. People want to know “Why God?” why is there such war and division in these days? Why do people have to suffer? People are asking the same questions the Israelites asked God in the Old Testament scriptures. Over one-third of the Psalms are Psalms of lament and suffering. Maybe we need the Old Testament scriptures to help us through these times.
One of the issues is that people are withholding the feeling of true lament because of self-shame, fear, and hopelessness. The Old Testament scriptures can be of aid because they give voice to the suffering, pain, loss and violence. There are stories of slavery, life under empires, the destruction of Northern and Southern Kingdoms, and the exile to Babylon are recorded with honesty. The scriptures are naming the same pain as we are struggling with today!
So my point here is that in re-centering the scriptural witness of ancient faith communities who use lament as a faithful practice of reconnection with God, churches are invited to reclaim their mission. That mission is to be a beacon of HOPE amid crisis and pain.
Lament can address the crisis of faith in our congregations. We can be healing during these times of division! Then there is the Gospel… the New Testament where Jesus laments on the cross. Our Triune God gives us permission to grieve our loneliness.
How can we share this mission and be that beacon of HOPE for others using the gifts we have here at Beautiful Savior?
AMEN
Pastor Tony