NO WORDS

 MAY 27, 2022

Job 2:11-13

Now when three of Job’s friends heard of all the misfortune that had come upon him, they set out each one from his own place: Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuh, and Zophar from Naamath. They met and journeyed together to give him sympathy and comfort. But when, at a distance, they lifted up their eyes and did not recognize him, they began to weep aloud; they tore their cloaks and threw dust into the air over their heads. Then they sat down upon the ground with him seven days and seven nights, but none of them spoke a word to him; for they saw how great was his suffering.

More mass shootings, we are all left with the questions Why? How can this keep happening? Where have we failed? Yet, for me, I am struggling to answer the question, "How should I respond?" as a Jesus follower. I am sure you are struggling as well for a response.


What I do know is there are no words that are sufficient in the tragedies and trauma of Buffalo, New York, and now at a school in Uvalde, Texas.


Job's friends, if you recall the story in that Old Testament book, got a number of things wrong. In the passage above, however, is the one thing that I would argue they got right. It is in this passage that we may just find something to help us in how to respond to such horrific events.

You may recall that the above verses occur after Job has lost everything, including his children, and is even told by his wife that it’s time to curse God and die, Job’s friends visit and they find their friend unrecognizable in his grief. Notice what they do cry, mourn, and then are quiet.


When we see people in time of distress, would you agree with me, that we tend to surround them with a bunch of words. I have done that. As if any words would or could fix the brokenness and grief, sorrow and anger people feel when we go through heart breaking tragedy.

There will be a time and an occasion for conversations, for talk. I wonder though if in moments of tragedy the better thing is to come alongside those who suffer and mourn. Cry with them. Mourn with them. Sit in silence with them. No words, just a caring and a loving presence.

Below is a prayer that I invite us to pray today.

Prayer of Lament for Mass Shootings

Lord, in our shock and confusion, we come before you.

In our grief and despair in the midst of hate,

in our sense of helplessness in the face of violence,

we lean on you.

 

For the families of those who have been killed we pray.

For the shooter(s) —help us to pray, Lord.

For the communities that have lost members—their anger, grief,

 fear—we pray.

For the churches striving to be your light in darkness beyond our

 comprehension, we pray.

 

In the face of hatred, may we claim love, Lord.

May we love those far off and those near.

May we love those who are strangers and those who are friends.

May we love those who we agree with and understand,

and even more so, Lord, those who we consider to be our

enemies.

 

Kyrie Eleison. Lord, have mercy.

Heal our sin-sick souls.

Make these wounds whole, Lord. Amen

 

Prayer adapted from the Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice; used with permission.