April 25, 2021

Lamentations 5

We return this week to the theme of “disgrace,” as the prophet/poet laments the destruction of Jerusalem.  We don’t often think of the prophetic voice being one of lamentation, but prophets (from Moses to Jeremiah) have cried out to God on the peoples’ behalf.  Let’s come at this theme of lamentation from the following directions.

Remember.  It’s one to suffer.  It’s another thing to suffer when no one (including God!) seems to notice.  The primary message of the prophet/poet in Lamentations is the call to remember.  How do we ask God to “remember” in our prayers?

Restore.  At the very end, the prophet/poet moves past grief toward hope.  The call to “remember” shifts toward a plea to “restore.”  What do we yearn for God to “restore” in the life of the Church and the world today?

Lament.  We Presbyterians excel at praise, but are reluctant to lament.  Indeed, we seem to be reticent regarding emotions in general, and especially in worship.  Why do you think we have trained ourselves this way, in contrast to much of the material in scripture?

I’ve heard and read that those who have experienced “trauma” often feel out of place in mainline worship.  Would the prophet/poet of Lamentations feel the same?  There’s much to lament in our lives and in our world today.  Let’s practice asking God to remember and restore us this Sunday.  See, and hear you then.