THURSDAY, August 12 (Florence Nightingale)

Psalm 105. Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; make known his deeds among the peoples.

A school bus went off a mountain road. In the crash, the driver and many children died. Others were seriously injured. Amidst the grief, terror, and lawsuits, parents eventually asked “Where is God? How can we ever live with thanksgiving again? How can we ever believe that God is good?”

God gives us two responses to those questions. God is present everywhere; he is in the bus, as he was on the cross. God suffers and dies with us. God is in the hospital room, workplace, battlefield, courtroom, prison cell, and on the cross. Also, God is in the stirrings of new life—in the outreached hand, the breath of compassion, the wailing that turns into a hymn.

The psalms urge us to cry out, mourn, and call for help. Present to us, God hears our cry. In the comfort of the Holy Spirit are the stirrings of new life. The Lord’s mercy endures forever. (1993)

PRAY for the International Anglican Youth Network (IAYN) and the Diocese of False Bay (Southern Africa)

Ps 105:1-22 * 105:23-45; Judges 14:1-19; Acts 6:15—7:16; John 4:27-42

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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August 12

Aug 12, 2010 at 8:56 am

Written by RoseAnn Jolly,

The writer gives 2 responses to the questions about where is God in crisis. The response that God is everywhere only makes you ask again then if God is there, why does He allow tragedies to happen. If God interfered with our will or choices in life, then we would not have free will which He gave us. It doesn't meaneGe can't and it doesn't mean He doesn't answer prayer. We just need to thank Him for what we do have through Christ...especially free will and grace.

...

Aug 12, 2010 at 11:35 am

Written by Andrea,

Let me say first that I do believe God is with us everywhere and at all times, even in the ones where it's hardest to discern God's presence. But what would you all say to the parents of the children lost in that bus crash? We can celebrate free will... but what if free will wasn't a factor, what if it was just a terrible, random accident? Couldn't God stop it or prevent it? What is the role of grief in our Christian lives? If we truly live and move and have our being in God, and God is love, why is there suffering and grief and tragedy? (My own thought is that God's plans for us are larger than we can imagine... but that would be cold comfort for the parents of the kids who died in a bus crash.) Any thoughts?

When why is the wailing total of a person

Aug 12, 2010 at 12:13 pm

Written by Gaye Anne McWade,

Why often expresses it all. Perhaps being permitted to wail it to a good friend who is simply present is the best answer. There's no "why" formula that replaces the pain, the loss. Time and love make things bearable and Christ's loving presence coming along side in the touch of a friend.

Living with the Questions (To Andrea in particular)

Aug 12, 2010 at 12:15 pm

Written by Pamela,

The bus crash accident is one of so many instances where we are left asking, "Why me? (or Why Them?), and there is no perfect answer. And to the extent where we are a people that needs to have answers to everything, this is hard to accept. Words are imperfect even if inspired by the best intentions, worsening rather than soothing pain. In my experience, the best answer is silence and presence; that is, being present either physically or in prayer with those who are grieving. I also think that the role of grief in Christian life is the opportunity to express the full range of emotions that loss engenders: sorrow, anger, the sense of unfairness, emptiness. I certainly would not tell a grieving family that God's plans are larger than we can imagine, but rather say to them how sorrowful I am for their loss and to do all I can to be a comforting presence to them to the extent that I am able. I hope my answer(s) have provided some small measure of help.

Ms.

Aug 12, 2010 at 12:24 pm

Written by CDL,

Every day I (selfishly?) thank God for all the goodness in my life and the lack of tragedy therein, at least in recent times. I also pray for the Christian grace to handle bad news, tragedy, and heartbreak if and when it comes.

...

Aug 12, 2010 at 1:56 pm

Written by Rita,

Why do I so dislike the story of Samson? I suppose because Delilah is always shown as such a femme fatale. History is always written from the point of view of the victory, but even given this, Samson in this reading comes off as an uncouth moron. It was an arranged marriage, and she tried to protect her people from this marauder. Later on one feels sorry for him, but right now, I can't help but feel for Delilah.

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