Suffering and the Search for Answers

As we approach the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, I feel my own anxiety build. The memories of that day are unpleasant, to put it mildly. As Americans, we came face to face with our vulnerability. We witnessed tragic loss of life at home. Despite our best efforts, justice is incomplete. The whole thing feels unresolved.

Some events are never finished. They might recede into the background and become less overwhelming, but they are always present. 9/11 is such an event. Given the nature of this anniversary, how do we respond?

I think a kind of holy recall is possible to mark the loss and horror of that day. We remember to honor and hold dear what was lost, life and perspective. We remember in prayer those who died, received injuries and those who live with grief.

We often hear questions about the presence of God in the midst of tragedy and suffering. God was certainly present at the World Trade Center. No horror or tragedy is sufficient to cause God to flee, not even a seemingly senseless execution. A better question might be leveled. What does the resurrection faith of the Church demand?

As followers of Jesus, we press forward to a new day, bolstered by his promise of the kingdom. The Bible is full of images illustrating the kingdom, like the lion resting with the lamb and swords beaten into plowshares. The response of faith is working with God to bring about a time and place, where hatred doesn’t move women and men to act, but love.

Faith

In a recent conversation with a trusted friend, the subject of faith was introduced. The introduction had to do with faith speaking directly to daily life. Faith in the midst of life is all too often ignored in favor of faith’s other meanings.

Faith in popular parlance tends to be associated with believing the unbelievable, or believing something without evidence. While faith has this connotation, I think it misses the real core of the Gospel. The scriptures offer a more nuanced view of faith.

The Letter to the Hebrews describes faith as, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This well-quoted line illustrates the multivalent nature of faith. Faith is part investment in a future hope within the context of the unrealized present.

The Letter to the Hebrews goes on to list many examples of faith. Abraham is chief among them. Abraham leaves all that he knows, family and land, to embrace a promise made by God. Abraham wasn’t stepping off a cliff into nothingness, but was moving into a future that he couldn’t completely grasp. The obedience of Abraham is a sign of his trust in God for his life and the future generations of his family. Abraham’s faith is manifest in his trust that his life is intertwined with the life of God.

Our practice of faith is not unlike that of Abraham. We are not promised that every moment will be bliss, if we believe in God. We are not promised an easy or successful life, if we follow Jesus and keep his commandments. Faith is trust that our lives are bound to the life and love of God.

Faith is seeing life in the security of God’s love. Faith is recognizing and appreciating the moments of obvious intersection, when our lives collide with the life of God. Faith is trusting in the midst of the uncertain, unfolding future that we are inextricably bound to God and the Kingdom. I need that faith, everyday.

Guest Preacher

This Sunday at St. Columba's we will have Father Gary Lemery with us. He will be the preacher at all Sunday morning services. Father Lemery has been active in the Diocese of Rhode Island in a number of significant ways. He is the retired rector of Transfiguration, Cranston. He is a board member of Episcopal Charities. Father Lemery also has taken an active role in disaster preparedness, works in chaplaincy with the airport and local fire and police departments. He was a first responder at the Station nightclub fire.

It will be a great Sunday. Plan to join us!