Monday, December 30, 2013

Carole Brown

Lamentations 3:26-36

26 It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for one to bear
   the yoke in youth,
28 to sit alone in silence
   when the Lord has imposed it,
29 to put one’s mouth to the dust
   (there may yet be hope),
30 to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
   and be filled with insults.
31 For the Lord will not
   reject for ever.
32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
   according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
33 for he does not willingly afflict
   or grieve anyone.
34 When all the prisoners of the land
   are crushed under foot,
35 when human rights are perverted
   in the presence of the Most High,
36 when one’s case is subverted
   —does the Lord not see it?

Devotional

In these verses from Lamentations, each of us -- young and old -- is urged to "sit alone in silence." During this season of Advent-waiting, we are instructed to plan time for careful examination of personal life and self.

As well, we are to examine our role in actively securing human rights for others. Finding time for personal reflection will not be easy; discovering home truths will not be easy.

Nevertheless...

As contemporary authors have written: "The path of descent is the path of transformation" (Richard Rohr) and "Cry Pain, Cry Hope" (Elizabeth O'Connor.) The path of growth entails discipline. Discipline entails obedience. Obedience entails descent. Descent yields growth. And hope.

"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

The authors of Lamentations prepare us to risk being opened to new awareness of both personal and national sins and omissions by assuring us at the outset of God's care and love for us. "He does not willingly afflict or grieve." "He will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love."

The journey to deeper awareness may be painful, but we do not journey alone. Christ journeys with us; as, indeed, we journey toward Christ.

At Christmas, as we look deep into the Wisdom of those new-born, as-yet-unfocused eyes, we will be asked by the Wisdom in those eyes: Who are you? Having spent time alone in silence, having grown more whole, we can answer that question more truthfully.

And it may come to pass that we ask: Who are You, sweet baby? And the Babe will respond, "I AM has sent me."

Additional Readings

Lamentations 3:26-36; Acts 16:25-34; John 13:31-35