Monday, October 6, 2025

Where is Our Hope?

 

October 5, 2025               Proper 22, Year C            The Rev. Nancy E. Gossling

 For me, there have been far too many deaths in this past month, people I have known and loved. Additionally, there have been far too many violent deaths, as you may well know if you’re plugged into the news. Of note was the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. A single bullet took his life on a college campus. Reactions ranged from silence to outrage. His words resonated with some people and were abhorred by others. There was talk of a spiritual revival and moral revulsion. Who was this guy, and what did he actually say?

          As usual, throughout our country and around the world, there continued to be attacks on churches, synagogues, and mosques. While the pure definition of religion varies, the Latin translation means holding things together, or uniting groups of people with common understandings. It seems to me, however, that the wheels of religion are falling off the vehicle; the limbs of Christ’s body are being amputated, and the core of our religious body has become flabby at best.

          In our common lectionary for this Sunday, October 5, 2025, the Old Testament readings from Hebrew scripture, are filled with lamentations, tears, and grief. “How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become! She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.” (Lamentations 1:1-4) Where is the hope?

          Paul and I experienced two very different kinds of hope these past two weeks. The first was in Rome, at St. Peter’s Square, when Pope Leo celebrated Holy Eucharist in front of thousands of people. The crowd was composed of people from all nations, ages, and faiths. When it came time for distributing communion to the masses, thousands of Roman Catholic priests, dressed in green chasubles filed down into the crowds. Then, after the service, Pope Leo drove around the square kissing babies and blessing the people. There was a palpable sense of faith, hope, and love in the crowds. Being there was the highlight of our trip.

          The day after we returned home, we flew to Washington D.C. to attend the memorial service of Paul’s cousin, Colonel Edward Haines Gossling III who had been an army airforce pilot and was being interred in Arlington National Cemetery.The casket was carried on a caisson, pulled by officers on horseback, and followed by a marching band. The chaplain spoke about Ed’s goodness, character, and willingness to serve his country. And he also challenged those of us who were present to continue his example. Surrounded by 400,000 grave markers, he reminded us of our own mortality as well as the opportunity to perhaps live in new or different ways. Ed’s work was done; ours could just begin. Without hesitation, the chaplain spoke faithfully about Jesus. This powerful memorial service, from beginning to end, offered hope. It was another highlight or our trip.

          The second reading of Lamentations also provides some hope. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,’therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:19-26)

          The war between Israel and Hamas has continued despite the on-going efforts of world leaders at establishing a lasting peace. The date two years ago of October 7 remains heavy for the people of Israel. In scripture they remember their history, and the invasion of their country by Iraq (Babylon) centuries ago. Taken into exile in Babylon, not unlike the Ukrainians who have been relocated to Russia, the tears of their people remain fresh. “By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, when we remembered you, O Zion. As for our harps, we hung them up on the trees in the midst of that land. For those who led us away captive asked us for a song and our oppressors called for mirth: Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord's song upon an alien soil.” (Psalm 137)

 It is tempting to feel outrage and resentment; to seek revenge and the destruction of those who have harmed us or those we love. “O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy the one who pays you back for what you have done to us! Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, and dashes them against the rock!” Such violent language is also part of our common discourse today. It is a natural human reaction.

          And so we keep wondering. Where is our hope? When will this violence end? Like the prophet Habakkuk, we question God. “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you "Violence!"and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous--therefore judgment comes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4)

          Once again the psalmist gives an answer. “Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong. For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away. Put your trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord, and he shall give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him, and he will bring it to pass. He will make your righteousness as clear as the light and your just dealing as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes. Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil. For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land. (Psalm 37:1-10)

Where is our hope? In us. Do not fret. Do not be jealous. Refrain from anger; leave rage alone. In God. Trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord. Commit your way; be still; and wait patiently for God to arrive. “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:1-4)

St. Paul advises Timothy not to be ashamed but to guard the good treasure of the gospel good news, that is “our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” We receive freedom from our fear when we have faith, even the size of a mustard seed. We have freedom from despair when we have hope in the goodness, justice, and mercy of God. God is faithful, even when we are not; and so we put our trust in God, whose mercies never end. Therein lies our hope.

Lamentations 1:1-6    Lamentations 3:19-26    Psalm 137    Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4    Psalm 37:1-10

2 Timothy 1:1-14    Luke 17:5-10

 

 

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