No More of This
Next week, many Christians will experience Holy Week. It is a time of deep reflection, sorrow, and hope, as we look back to the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
This past week, I experienced a different kind of Holy Week. This too, was a time of struggle. The difference was that this wasn’t a reflection of what was; rather, of what is.
What was similar, was finding God in the midst of today’s suffering. As I tried to make sense of it all, I found myself recalling the words of Jesus upon his arrest and as his friends came to his defense with sword in hand.
Jesus said, “No more of this.”
Join me in reflecting on just a few of the challenges from our society that I encountered this week, and wonder with me what it means if we take Jesus’ words seriously.
First, a request for your consideration. As you read this, remember these two pivotal beliefs that provide hope and empowerment:
1. The overwhelming majority of people are good and desire for peace.
2. The world we know-It doesn’t have to be this way. Isn’t this what Jesus was trying to tell and show us?
WAR AND CONFLICT
Devastation in Haiti
I spent time doing a lot of listening this week. I learned more specific information of the global horrors, especially in Haiti, Ukraine, and the Middle East. I am overwhelmed by the devastation and loss. This is not a new feeling.
It is close to impossible to find hope in these parts of the world. We cannot even comprehend the suffering.
GENDER INEQUALITY
At the UN, the past two weeks focused on the realities and rights of women and girls. At our current rate, it will take another 300 years to experience true gender equality (this is just one of many troubling stats). Read more here.
What does this mean for my young girls? What does this mean for all girls? Aren’t they also our responsibility?
What about my wife, my mom, my sister? The list goes on and on. What about those women I do not know? Do they not deserve a safe, just, and peaceful world where they can thrive and find and be love?
DIVIDED CHURCH
I engaged with a variety of Christian people this week, from different camps and allegiances. I heard their priorities, some I agreed with, and some, I did not. My empathetic heart strained to understand and to find common ground.
I yearn for an authentic Christian community that replicates that of the early Christians. As it was said of that first generation, “see how they love one another.” Imagine if that could be said of us.
DIVIDED NATION
The division in our nation is at a boiling point, and it is sure to overflow as we approach November. The divide and conquer strategy of our those in power continues to work- just check out your social media feed as one example.
No matter where you wave your flag, the realities do not change for the majority of people. The only ones who prosper are those in power- and they will use every strategy and tool at their disposal to keep it that way.
COLLECTIVE MOURNING
I still yearn for a collective mourning for COVID, a pandemic that is still killing and crippling people. Politicized like everything else, we as a nation, and a world, have yet to grieve the loss and illness together. We never stopped to mourn, to pray, and to learn together. This too, will boil over, if it isn’t already.
Unprocessed loss by an individual, and especially, a society will only lead to further loss, in all its forms.
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Weapons found in a ERAU student’s backpack in 2021, as reported by Daytona Beach Police.
As I sent my girls off to school a few days this week, I found myself wondering what the world will be for them. I fear, what it will be today. Our priorities are not for their present or future. We point fingers instead of engaging in a dialogue to improve what is clearly not working.
This is just a short list of concerns: gun violence, mental health, high-level testing and pressure, access for various abilities, teacher and parent burn-out. There are more!
It doesn’t have to be this way!
CONCLUSION
Next Friday, we will mourn the death of Christ. We will recall all that happened to lead to his suffering. We will wonder how this happened, and how it could have been different.
Might we ask ourselves this same question? Instead of regurgitating the company and political line, might we listen? Might we heal?
Let us turn to the moment to recall when Jesus was arrested (Luke 22:49-51)
“When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”
Perhaps, the words, “no more of this,” is an important message we all need to hear. Might we say this now, together, and work for a different reality.
Might we also pray for healing in our own ears and hearts. May this Holy Week be one of transformation, a turning point in our lives, homes, communities, Church, nation, and world. It must begin with us.
No more of this!
