The World Weeps (03/30/2024)

This week has been full of violence of nations against nations, of militants against citizens, of individuals against individuals. As I watched the evening news, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “How did we stray so far?” Then yesterday, I heard Cardinal Dolan of New York speak about how many currently have turned away from the LORD, not believing in our creator. I’ve been pondering it, praying about it. And this morning when I sat down on my porch with my cup of coffee, the sound was so vivid in the darkness, the sound of gentle rain. The world was weeping.

I’ve mentioned it before, the song by Dolly Parton called “Hello, God.” It came to my mind and wouldn’t leave.

“Hello, God?

Are You out there?

Can You hear me?

Are You listenin’ anymore?

Hello, God/

If we’re still on speakin’ terms

Can You help me like before?

I have questioned Your existence.

My resistance leaves me cold.

Can You help me go the distance?

Hello, God?”

“This old world has gone to pieces.

Can we fix it?

Is there time?

Hate and violence just increases.

We’re so selfish, cruel, and blind.

We fight and kill each other

In You name defending You.

Do you love some more than others?

We’re so lost and confused.”

“…Oh, the free will You have given

We have made a mockery of.

This is no way to be livin’

We’re in great need of your love.”

“Hello, God?

Can You grant us

Love enough to make amends?

Is there still a chance

That we could start again?”

“Hello, God?

We really need You.

We can’t make it without You.

We beseech You,

In the name of all that’s true.

…Please forgive us

For we know not what we do.

…Give us one more chance

To prove ourselves to You.

Hello, God.”[1]

I know with every fiber of my being that the LORD is and that the LORD loves us. This is “Tomb Day;” we spend this day recalling the length and breadth of the LORD’s love for us that played itself out on a cross in Jerusalem when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, selflessly offered himself, though He himself was sinless, for our sins.  This day is “Tomb Day,” when we reflect upon the LORD’s desire for us and for our salvation, for our lives, for reconciliation, for love lived daily as we claim our rightful places as the daughters and sons of a living, loving LORD. This is “Tomb Day,” when we must ask ourselves what do we really believe? To whom do we really belong? Will we prayerfully seek to be the ones we are created to be and called to be? Will Easter morning find us stronger, more loving, more faithful?

This morning, as I sat in prayer, I joined the world in weeping. I wept for all of my own lapses in faith, hope and love. I wept for those of others. I wept for the gift given that the world has never really accepted and opened and lived.

And then it came, ever so slight at first, then brighter and brighter – a new day. And the promise of the LORD, the promise of Easter, it resounded. We remember Good Friday. We wait here on “Tomb Day.” But we know that Easter is coming. “Behold, I make all things news.”

I pray that we all through prayer and desire greet tomorrow as the new creations our LORD calls us to be. I pray we embrace the love that is so profound it is almost unfathomable. I pray we seek to take that love in, allow it to transform us and send us out to make this a different world in His name.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.

[1] “Hello, God?” written by Dolly Parton @Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.