Hi Church,

This past week I had the privilege of reading and praying over the various laments we brought to the altar last Sunday. This was a sacred thing. In response, I wanted to make two observations and give one encouragement. 

First, well done. Reading through the numerous articulate depictions of sadness that were personal, familial, and global, I was impressed by the way that you as a people went to intimate and deep places. You wrote about feeling uncomfortable in your own bodies, about feeling distant from the love and presence of God, of family relationships that aren’t what you want them to be, about legacies of abuse and patterns of addiction. Many of you shared sorrow related to injustices and suffering in the world. With courage and trust you named your various laments before the Lord. That is an act of real faith, and honoring to God. When we lift our cares and concerns to him it is a delight to our Heavenly Father. My prayer is that you would know the Lord’s comforting presence in response. 

Second, some of you are carrying very heavy things. That’s not surprising, but seeing it spelled out on card after card makes it plain. Henry David Thoreau once wrote that the mass of us live lives of “quiet desperation.” That it is quiet and that we live amidst such wealth and comfort means it can be hidden and all too easily forgotten. Yet the truth is that many of us gather each week with real wounds and limps. This is important to remember and can and should inform our common life. 

My encouragement is simple, do not let yourself be alone in your lament. We lament to God knowing that we are not alone, that He is Immanuel, the with us God. It can be so important for us to have this reality embodied for us; the pain of isolation can magnify and compound our experiences of grief and sorrow. So, as a spiritual discipline in this upcoming Advent season, consider sharing with a fellow Christian what you wrote on your card or the sadness you are carrying. This could be with a friend or group of friends, in the context of your neighborhood group, or in asking for prayer on a Sunday. 

In Anglican contexts, it is common in the season of Advent to take advantage of confession with a clergy person. This often relates to sin, but for us might also take the form of sharing the grief we are carrying. If that’s something that might interest you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah or myself. We’d love to meet with you and lift with you your lament to the Lord. Whatever form this might take, don’t be alone in your lament. 

Thanks again for participating in this part of our worship last week. It was a fresh reminder for me of the great honor it is to be a priest in this community. 

Grace and peace, 

Peter+

Ps. The laments and one longing that were shared will help inform our prayers of the people this Advent season. While protecting confidences we’ll be identifying some common themes and threads that others in our community will write about in the prayers. 

PPs. This Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. This theme will be reflected in our readings and the sermon, and we’ll also be marking it by welcoming new members and celebrating one last baptism!