 |
| Image by Claudia Gabriel |
†
A GREETING
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise God,
my help and my God.
(Psalm 42:11)
A READING
Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel was in childbirth, and she had a difficult labour. When she was in her difficult labour, the midwife said to her, ‘Do not be afraid; for now you will have another son.’ As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar at her grave; it is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day.
(Genesis 35:16-20)
MUSIC
Sung in Latin, the Stabat Mater imagines the voice of Mary during the Crucifixion.
MEDITATIVE VERSES
Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
(Jeremiah 31:15)
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’
(Matthew 2:18)
A PRAYER
Dear God, we cry out to you on behalf of all those affected by the conflict in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. Our hearts break at the devastation and suffering that we see, and we know it breaks yours, too. We ask that you would stretch out your mighty hand to bring an end to this war. We cry out for people who have been injured or traumatised, who have lost loved ones or their homes. Bring them comfort, hope, safe refuge and healing. We pray for your peace to reign. We long for your coming; we dream of hope.
- Adapted from "Prayer for Gaza and Israel," found on tearfund.org
VERSE OF THE DAY
Let your steadfast love, O God, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
(Psalm 33:22)
†
 |
| "Rachel Weeping for Her Children," by Jakob Steinhardt (1965) |
As we have done in past devotional projects, on Saturdays we pause from our theme to reflect on events in the wider world around us. In some of the earliest traditions of Christianity, Advent preparation begins mid-November and extends seven weeks, just as we do in Lent. The seven week version of Advent reflects not only on the coming birth of Jesus but also on the return that Jesus will make one day in which everyone will experience restoration.
This Advent, however, our world does not look anything like a restored and just world. Instead, we feel keenly the many ongoing wars, including conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, the continent of Africa, and in Israel-Palestine.
Today we pray into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as its historical story and geography hold the context for our own Advent story. Many of us may have felt a hopefulness in the recent days of truce from war activities. Now, as hostilities have resumed with intensity, our hearts are sinking. It is hard to believe that we live in a time when the release of captive mothers and children on both sides of the conflict are the currency of a volatile peace.
In the biblical story of Advent and Christmas, a mother and a baby pass through dangerous territory in a tyrannical age, in order to find safety in another country. At the time of Jesus' birth, the Herodian regime was excessively violent. The region was destabilized by the perilous political tensions and alliances that existed and which later exploded when Herod died.
The prophetic image of Rachel weeping for her children is offered first in Genesis, when Rachel dies while giving birth on the road to Bethlehem, and is buried there. The image is picked up by Jeremiah in his own era, because at the time of Babylonian captivity, the forced march to exile took the captives past the the place of Rachel's tomb. In Matthew, we hear the image presented once more, when we learn of the slaughter of the innocents, a violence started by Herod because of his fear of the birth of Jesus. The prince of peace was born into raging conflict, tension, anxiety and peril.
As we become tempted to enter into debates or fiery exchanges about the conflict, whether online or at the family dinner table, we can choose instead to lean into the longing for peace, restoration and wholeness that is the whole reason God brought Jesus into the world. We can pray with our entire selves that the human suffering of war can be eased and that the grace of God will fill the places of anguish with healing. Our prayer, however, cannot be a platitude. We are called by our discipleship to pray always, and to do what we can to help bring that realm of peace into being.
Such a prayer may feel impossible. And yet Paul tells us that when we pray for things we secretly believe may never happen, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and prays with us. The Spirit, and God, are always hopeful. In this second week of Advent commonly associated with 'peace,' how can we use our deepest hope for restoration, to help bring healing in our world?
 |
| Image by Christyn |
†
LC† Come Holy Darkness is a project of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook, and on Twitter. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help to support extended offerings throughout the year. Thank you and peace be with you!