Let's Lament - November 7
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]; Joel 1:1-13; Rev. 18:15-24; Luke 14:12-24
Two weeks ago, I was invited to Samford University to answer a simple question with ten other clergy from different denominations: what is the role of lament in your worship? The first half of the conversation was focused on trying to understand how we use lament, and the second half was concerned with helping us to find tools to be more intentional about lament. I was struck that at least two pastors mentioned that their congregations resist lament because they feel pressure for everything to always be happy and joyful.
Maybe I was feeling a little self-righteous as I scoffed at the uninformed answer. We Episcopalians are good at lamenting. I mean we chant the Great Litany on the first Sunday in Lent, and we read the Psalms, even working through them every seven weeks in our cycle of Morning Prayer. And my self-righteousness is only possible because of the liturgical nature of our worship. If I’m honest, I’m not much different. As a priest, I want people to leave worship hopeful, lifted up, encouraged, and … happy. And, yes, I know ‘happy’ is rather shallow.
Today, we begin reading from prophet Joel. It begins with a harrowing description of a plague of locusts and then pivots to a military catastrophe that devastates the people. In this section, people are cut off from food, and their lands are devastated. Later in Joel (2:11b), “Truly the day of the Lord is great; terrible indeed—who can endure it?” Joel is offering a lament, recognizing the pain that his people are going through. It’s not a happy reading.
But here is why lament is important. Life might be full of joy, but it is not always happy. We walk through pain and suffering all of the time. People can feel cut off from their livelihood and experience great suffering and lament reminds us that this is not a new experience and that God is with us. Sometimes in naming what is unpleasant, we are then able to move to a more joyful place.
I’d encourage you not to skip the tougher parts of the Bible. Maybe those sections resonate today, or maybe they will resonate at another chapter in your life. The stories are a reminder that no matter what we experience, God is always with us. We might not be happy, but we will be comforted, and that is good news.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What role does lament play in your faith life? Is there a certain feeling you expect to come away from at church?
Daily Challenge: Make a list of things that are not working in your life. Write them down, then crumble up the paper and throw it away. How did it feel to name what isn’t working?