Advent Reflection - Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

With the beginning of the COVID sheltering in place, I began to study the Lament Psalms.  It seemed an appropriate time, an appropriate theme for what we were facing.  I knew little but learned the basic structure of Lamenting is: an address to God, a protest or complaint, an expression of trust in God’s unfailing love, a petition, a belief that God hears our plea, and an offering of praise. They wail and scream at God and, at the same time, have faith in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.   People of the Old Testament trusted God to hear their complaint, their wailing, their deep crying out.  And, yet, expressing their anger, frustration, deep sadness, they also trusted God.  They had hope.  They conclude their lament prayer with praise.

Amid the many pandemics of these times: COVID, racial oppression, political unrest, divisions in our country, we, too, beg God to hear our plea.  We lament.  We cry out, “How long, O Lord, how long?”  It can feel overwhelming, yet, Jesus invites us to “Come to me, all who labor and are burdened”.  Even in our deep distress, fear, and sorrow, Jesus promises to be with us.  Jesus, the one who is light in darkness and hope to the discouraged and despairing, offers to lift our burdens.  When we feel hopeless and helpless, Jesus is our hope.  Jesus is our help.  Jesus invites us to ‘Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” That is both an invitation and a promise.