On Sunday we will read these two verses from Psalm 116
I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
How shall I repay the Lord * For all the good things he has done for me?
Now these are verses 1 and 10 of the psalm, but due to the infinite wisdom of the creators of the lectionary, we will read them in succession on Sunday, skipping the verses in between. Usually I would sneer at such a gap, but this week it feels appropriate; for these words are true for me.
I Love the Lord because God has heard my voice in a time of need, and so I am constantly asking that question - “How shall I repay the Lord?” Sometimes my answers are better than others.
Now that might not be your story today. As a city and a country we are overwhelmed by voices crying out that have not been heard. Voices for whom no ear as been inclined, no balm been offered. For whom ‘the good things’ seem very far off.
Whether it is because they are alone and scared in a Hospital with COVID 19; terrified for a family member who is ill and whom they can’t see; suddenly unemployed and hungry and scared about what comes next; fearful of police or vigilante violence directed at them because of the color of their skin; or the many many voices crying out saying ‘Black lives matter’; hoping that by yelling loud enough it will one day be true.
This week may be a good time to evaluate where you are in this spectrum today. Are you able to rejoice in good things? Are you glad indeed? Or are you still crying out asking for relief, for justice, for dignity, for hope?
If you are like me - and you Love the Lord because the Lord has heard your cries — this is a good week to spend some time listening to someone else’s cries. The cries for a just justice system, the cries for an end to system racism, the cries for more testing, more economic assistance, more access to healthcare, or simply the cry to be heard that is resonating in so many communities right now.
What do those cries call you to? Deeper prayer? Concrete action? Donating money? Poetry? Letters to the Editor? Whatever it is, listen to that voice, for it might just be God speaking to you.
And if you have found no relief? If you feel like your cries are falling on deaf ears. If you wonder where that balm in Gilead is, or are just trying to find Gilead on the map — welcome. Memorial is a community that listens and hears you, loves you and seeks to care for you, and want better for you and for all of us. God does hear, but sometimes God’s hands and feet are slow to move. Perhaps now is the time for us to do so.