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What About Tragedies?

 

This past Tuesday there was a great tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, where a person murdered several others, and wounded more.  This is a time for us to enter into grief, to join in sorrow, to have compassion.  Compassion is from the Latin for “with suffer”, in other words “to suffer with or alongside.”  ‘The passion of Christ’ is an old term which means ‘the suffering of Christ.’

Compassion and grief are healthy when they heal and support, like a physical wound gets a scab over it as part of its healing process.

 

As we know, Jesus summarized the Law and the Prophets as “love God with all your being and love your neighbour as you love yourself.”  If we translate love not as erotica nor romantic nor benevolence nor loyalty nor mere affection, we are left with love as what is most healthiest.  In essence, what Jesus was saying was,

 

“This is what God wants: Do what is healthiest for God, for yourself, and for others.”

 

Determining (and then doing) what is healthiest in any given time and place is the essence of our walk with Christ.

 

What is healthiest when we are encountered by a tragedy such as occurred this past Tuesday?  The church has taught, since the time of Jesus, that we are to have compassion.  Jesus felt compassion for those who suffered.  Paul wrote we are to be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).  This meant not just feeling pity, but being moved to act – to cry, pray, to heal, provide, forgive, serve, grieve with, honour.  Please pray for all involved in this tragedy, and if there are specific practical ways you can help, I encourage you to try them.

 

This is recognizing that “there but for the grace of God go I” – all people are in need of God’s mercy.  Compassion means to put ourselves into the place of both the victim and the transgressor.  We specifically happen to be undeservedly blessed by the overwhelming love of God in Christ bringing us into the Dearest Father’s family through the Holy Spirit.  All of us are capable of both inflicting and receiving the evil which was done. 

 

It is wise to foster our humility at this stage, to reflect on our own transgressions, to ask God for forgiveness for ourselves and for others.  As well as corporate confession, which we recite each Sunday, the church encourages personal confession as needed for our health.  Our sacrament of confession is a merciful office done between yourself and your priest.  As James wrote, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.” (James 5:16)

 

Here is a prayer you may recite if you wish a structure to do this exercise on your own:

 

Dearest Father, God Almighty, You created us to be Images of You, representing You to all of creation.  You created us to walk with You and share our lives with You in intimate relationship. 

 

Like Adam and Eve, we desire our independence and go astray.  Like Cain, we may be jealous of our brothers and sisters, and their blessings.  Like the Tower of Babel, our society seeks its own ways to heaven.  Like the time of Noah and the Flood, humanity is often turning to seek darkness, hurt, and evil.

 

Thank You, Father, that You never stop chasing after us, to bring humanity back into Your household.  Thank You that You came incarnate in Jesus the Chosen One, the Anointed, the Christ, to:

  • teach us Your way
  • give a personal invitation into Your household
  • sacrifice Yourself for us, killing our sins in dying for us,
  • defeat death in Your resurrection
  • mediate for us at the right hand of God our Dearest Father.

Through this, You broke the barriers between us and Your Kingdom.

 

Through the Anointed One, the Christ, we are accepted as full members of Your family, O God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and those who live with You in faith.  You are still working to fully reconcile all creation to You.  You call us, as members of Your household, to work with You towards this reconciliation.  You are active in bringing healing, and health, and wholeness.

 

I apologise for how I’ve missed the mark of Your holiness.  I forgive those who have hurt me.  I recommit to being Your servant, a brother / sister of the Christ, a follower of the Holy Spirit, a representation of You, to work towards reconciling all with You.

 

Please forgive me.  Help me to do what is healthiest for You, for myself, and for others.

 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name; 

 

Amen.

 

and:

 

Lord Jesus, we lift before you all who have died this past week in Tumbler Ridge, that they may rest in your loving arms as we await your New Creation.  We lift up their families and their loved ones.  Please comfort all who grieve and place your healing hand upon those who are hurt or wounded.  Guide the doctors, nurses, police, and all support people as they strive to resolve what happened and bring healing to those affected.  We pray for healing, for life, for love for all communities affected by this tragedy.

 

In your name Jesus,

 

Amen.

 

May God bless you greatly as you continue exploring what it means to be a member of our most holy and loving family.

 

+ David