Jeremiah
20:7-13 and Matthew 10:24-39
In recent weeks, we have heard stories of thousands of
people suffering around the globe from what we call “natural disasters.” We have no doubt prayed for the people in
Yet, there are other types of disasters that come into our lives on a regular steady basis. For instance sickness, disease, and death can be just as painful and just as devastating. But often, there is nothing we can do to change or prohibit their occurrence in our lives. There is still another type of disaster at work among us. It does not go away. It does not stop. It infiltrates our beings to a degree, that unless it comes under the name of a national vocation, we sometimes forget to pray about it. It is the loss and destruction we experience as a result of human violence in our world.
According to Merriam Webster Violence is defined as an exertion of physical force so as to injure or abuse. It can be an instance of violent treatment or procedure. Violence can also be injury by or as if
by distortion, infringement, or profanation Violence can be in the
form of intense, turbulent, or
furious and often destructive action or force it can also be discordance or
disagreement.
Yes,
this enemy among us is successfully implementing its purpose in nearly every sector
of our society. Violence is at work in
the banking industry and has resulted in thousands of homeowners being
evicted. It is at work in the public educational
system, where thousands of our children are being left behind due to the gross
neglect of a more and more segregated system.
Violence is thriving in the mass communication industry as experienced
throughout the media in the form of movies, music and news. Violence unfortunately, is still deeply
rooted within the church as evidenced in the many methods used to negate and
omit the giftedness of thousands of persons for whom Jesus is Lord.
Violence has become such a familiar part of our lives that we often see it or hear about it taking place, but even we, members of the Body of Christ, remain muted and paralyzed in responding to its presence. We even fail to cry out to God about it or to put forth actions that will make others aware of it.
This past week, I
joined a group of about 40 pastors and faith leaders from the
Unexpectedly,
during our lunch with the Sheriff a pastor joined us who explained he was
delayed because he had been up all night with his family, and his son was still
lying unconscious at
Upon reflection I
wished we had at least taken the time to pray with our brother. Upon reflection I recalled Dr. Walter Bruggerman
using a metaphor of the church in the
Perhaps we did not pray or respond in any meaningful manner because we are indeed in exile. Therefore, as children of God, it is important for us to reacquaint ourselves with those scriptures that can equip us with appropriate responses to the violence in our midst. One such scripture is the prayer written by the witness, Jeremiah, which we read from our Old Testament lesson. Though scholars usually interpret the prayer with violent and disturbing images, I believe we can find positive nuggets of truth that might help us live more faithfully in our exilic state.
First, Jeremiah is called by God to serve as God’s witness in the world. Each of us is called to live out our faith in a manner that reflects God’s extreme love and care for the world. Through the power of God’s spirit working within us, we have the capacity to live and love far beyond any of the isms of this world. You know the ones: class-ism, sex-ism, race-ism, age-ism, and any other ism that utilizes violence in maintaining its existence. From the youngest to the oldest, we each have gifts to be used in promoting God’s kingdom in the world. A few days ago, a couple of us sat down with a 94-year old woman of faith by the name of Mrs. Verna Henderson. Mrs. Henderson is a woman whose wisdom seems to reach even beyond her years. At one point in our conversation Mrs. Henderson said she has learned, “it is not where you are that is important, what is important is where you are going.” Even if we are currently in exile, it is not the place where we hope to end up. What is your gift? Have you used it lately to promote peace or to build better relationships?
When we look back at Jeremiah’s prayer we see that Jeremiah not only realizes he has been called by God. He also confesses that it is God who has overpowered him. When the Master Creator dominates our lives, God’s agenda becomes our agenda. At that point, we are no longer interested in maintaining the status quo. It is at that point, that we are no longer living with a self-centered focus. When God overpowers, we have the courage to take risks in helping others live in a more abundant manner.
A couple of years
ago on our Partnership Jamaica Mission trip, our team had the privilege of
meeting Rev. Margaret Fowler who is visiting with us today. Rev. Fowler told us about going into some of
the entertainment establishments in Negril, for the purpose of talking with
some of the young women who were in that business. She informed us that she discovered some of
the young ladies were as young as 13 who regularly performed in that
industry. Rev. Fowler and others sought
to stop the violence against some of these young members of their
community. Today, the Theodora
Foundation is an agency within the United Church of Jamaica and the
Finally, when we look back to Jeremiah’s lament we notice Jeremiah cries out that God’s word for him has become like a fire shut up in his bones. It is this fire which enables Jeremiah to withstand the ridicule of those in his community. The fire does not allow Jeremiah to remain silent, not even in public. It forces him to respond in a manner consistent with his vocation. The fire causes Jeremiah to cry out about the conditions in which they live.
Once Jeremiah realizes he is not alone in his human condition and that his constant companion is a righteous God, his prayer changes from lament to praise. He is freed from living in despair to living with hope. Jeremiah realizes God hears his cry.
The same is true
for us today. Though there is violence
all around us, we can cry out and God will hear us. Though it appears we are in exile, God is
right here with us and is able to help. When
we pray and respond to the violence in our midst, we can make a difference in
our communities. Through our Partnership
Ministry with
Together, we can make a difference in our world. Through the various ministries and missions within the church, through the volunteer opportunities within the public school system, and through other agencies, we can each use our gifts to respond to the violence in our midst. Let us also remember, prayer gives us an opportunity to cry out to God; and the good news is God hears our cry. Amen.