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