Friday, February 18, 2011

Inevitable despair, hopeful proclamation through silence.

Tragic events are often also crises of identity; every crisis requires reflection and self-questioning in order to come to terms with or make sense of it. In the midst of these trying times are a myriad of voices--past, present, and internal-- giving 'consoling' words, theories of reason, and efforts to bring the tragically stricken person(s) back to a balance. Questioning a person's moral relationship to/with God is one way that people seek to find that balance or 'help' another regain it by finding a justifying reason for tragedy.
In these times of trial I do not feel that it is reasonable or appropriate to attempt to find resolution for other people in their pain, nor is it beneficial to correct the theology of the broken. I believe that the most helpful response to tragedy, or to the theological assertions of those on the periphery of the suffering person(s) is a presence that transcends quips of consolation and theological tidbits of absurdity. To be an active listener to the pain of the one who cries "My God, why have you forasaken me?" is to participate in bringing that same person to say "Father, into your hands i commit my spirit." It is not to say that all is well, nor is it to say that all is hopeless, but it is to be present and an active part of the body of the risen Lord in whom we see the conquest of the greatest of hopeless human inevitabilities. It is to be a silent witness to the active and present work of God's redemption in all of creation and to be the hands and feet of a Lord who proclaims victory over all chaos, bringing order and fullness to the formless and void.

We should be reminded that God entered into the suffering state of human affairs, died with us, but displayed his sovereignty over all realms of human affairs and nature and the greatest of all evils. The tradition is that Jesus descended into hell and overcame it, thus it is no longer a possibility, evil is gone and we have been freed from despair by faith in God's work through Christ.

Suffering may come, and the pain is very real. Despite these disturbances, we know suffering will end. Our job is to bear witness to that end, to be a part of the redemptive process, and to help others through their times of crisis with patience, hope, and love.

Maranatha!

Taylor



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