This morning I am sick at heart. The killing of Eric Garner, the ongoing cries for justice in Ferguson, the continuing ebola epidemic in Africa all wrench my heart and make me weep. And all this in the midst of Advent, the season of waiting. But I wonder do we really want God to appear? Remembering the babe born in a manger is one thing, being confronted with the God who desires justice and righteousness is another.
This morning I read in Isaiah about God’s judgement of Israel because
He expected a crop of justice,
but instead he found oppression.
He expected to find righteousness,
but instead he heard cries of violence. (Isaiah 5:7)
Are we really waiting for the coming of a God who desires justice and righteousness and who will shake the very foundations of the earth because it is not present? Will we be those who were prophesied about, that hide in caves to escape the judgement of God?
I hope not, but as I look at how easily I focus on the non essentials and turn a blind eye to the injustices in our world, I wonder. Who or what am I waiting for this Advent season?
Reflecting on that this morning brought to mind the two diagrams I have incorporated in this post and stirred me to write this prayer. I pray that I do wait for the God whose desire is for the fullness of shalom: a healed world and a redeemed humanity.
How long, O Lord must we wait
for your appearing?
Sick at heart I listen.
The cries for justice seem to go unheard.
Racism kills.
Walls to keep the strangers out.
Lets keep ebola in Africa.
When will you rend the heavens
and com down, O Lord.
We wait in this season of waiting,
But do we really want you to appear?
6 comments
Beautifully said, Madre…
Thanks Michael
As I read your prayer I was reminded of Psalm 13, one of my favorite psalms of comfort and hope. Thank you.
Yes Psalm 13 would be a good one to meditate on here
I appreciate the prayer and your reflections on the challenges of our day but I wonder about the value of the diagram because it isolates God from the other three elements as if it is possible to know or experience God apart from self, our neighbor or creation. It might be more helpful to consider the ways God is present (or seemingly absent) in each of the three areas. I know it’s not your intention but when I looked closely at this diagram this morning, this crazy thought became very clear to me.
Thanks Steve, I appreciate your comment and realize that this is a very simplistic way of looking at this. Its hard to portray what I really mean in a simple diagram.