I am still reeling from the events of the past week--from the thought-provoking sermons on Palm Sunday, to the horrifying fire of Notre Dame, to the swirling confusion of news pundits and fast and furious commentaries on everything from why's and how come's, the would'ves--could'ves--should'ves, the solemn praises, sincere attempts to make right what was so deeply wrong, followed by swift condemnation over intent, blame, so much too late...the sadness and the anger, the soul-wrenching feelings of loss and deep deep grief swelling and overflowing across all secular, religious, political and international lines, coming seemingly out of nowhere and from the depths of everywhere at the same time. Nothing is quite fully understood, emotions running so high that nothing is fully focused, an event gone so wrong that it demands to be faced and dealt with, but no one quite knows how...a timeless hurt that now reaches into eternity in all directions.
Our class discussion today was truly reflective of all of these thoughts--encompassing the heartfelt questions posed in the emails, the search for hard answers and what comfort we could find--even if academic--in the words of scripture, being literally thrown into the very question of "where do I stand in all of this?" But when Ellen exclaimed "...and think about the timing!"--it suddenly hit me...maybe even hit all of us. The same feelings of joyful preparations turned slowly, simmering, then billowing into confusion, anger, sorrow, disbelief--unable to make right something that turned SO quickly into something so deeply wrong...any attempts seemingly, perhaps, "so much too late..." ...two-thousand years ago! It's the epitome of...the week of Christ's Passion.
I am still digesting everything we talked about so I am going to stop here and invite everyone to post your own thoughts if you can verbalize them. Doesn't have to be long or deep or eloquent--maybe just a sentence or two to describe what has left you gratitude-filled or awe-struck. What parallels has the HolySpirit drawn for you in your own journey through this week of turmoil and pain...and deep singular reflection.
Oh, and remember: we know the end of the story.
"For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2)
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28, AMP)
What do we say "AMEN" to this week?
love you all
Maggie
God is Sovereign! Cathedrals taken by flames, people are threatened by daily violence, good people, God’s people, help others with a word or action that lifts them... And constantly through it all God is Sovereign and God is so so good.
ReplyDeleteFor the Lord takes pleasure in his people he will beautify the humble with salvation Psalm 149:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4
It occurred to me that we could possibly look at the fire at Notre Dame as a modern day burning bush....who will walk closer to investigate and hopefully get a better look and be drawn in to a better relationship with God.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!! That was something Ellen brought up at the end of class as well! what a great thought it is...like you have all mentioned in the emails, it made me wonder at all the levels of calling, restoration, redemption and transformation that can come out of this. What DO we see? What are we being called--individually AND corporally-- to do? Will we each say "yes" to the transformations God is desiring to make within each one of us on so many levels...? Or will we stand among the curious-but-uninvolved in the crowds, undedicated, untouched--and so remain unchanged, the events becoming a mere distant memory within the week...?
ReplyDeleteAnd, as always bringing us back into life application for our study: What is God calling into remembrance/awareness/action for us/in us/through us this week? the placement of this tragedy? the timing of this event?
Really making me "selah" ladies!!!
"Oh, and remember: we know the end of the story."
ReplyDeleteI was thinking what a gift this is.....imagine how the people felt before Jesus came, not knowing when or how the Messiah would come. I'd be a nervous wreck.....sometimes I am anyway even though I know "It is finished"
I find that when we read the Lenten Sunday readings and then talk about the sermon(s), I have such a greater Lenten experience. The tragedy of the Notre-Dame cathedral makes me pause to think about what in my life am i taking for granted that may be taken from me in an instant. I drove around today with the radio off just praising God for everything in my life. God is so good!
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