Lauds or lamentations

The traditional name for Morning Prayer is Lauds, a chorus of praise. Every day is a new start, venturing forth into a world lit up by the grace of its Creator. But I’ve been trying something different these past few months. Listening to the news. To the groans and howls of a world in pain.

About a dozen years ago a director on a retreat suggested praying with the news. “Oh, no, I never pay attention to the news while I’m on retreat.” “Well,” she replied, “Maybe you’d read the news differently on retreat?” I still steadfastly avoided browsing the NY Times sitting on a table in the hallway. But she was right.

Perhaps Morning Prayer is a concrete time to reflect on the phrase “thoughts and prayers”, often said after a tragic and incomprehensible event is in the news (Too often). What kinds of thoughts and prayers do we bring to God about the news?

This week I wrestled to the news of three mass shootings in California in a 36-hour period. I wanted to look away, to pull up psalms of joy. But, instead, I sat with the reality of a fallen world, to which I have contributed. And wept for those who died in my state these past few days. Lamentations instead of Lauds remind me to be persistent in praying for an end to the violence and equally persistent in doing the work for justice this demands. It reminds me, too, to examine my conscience to see where I am complicit in the culture that fosters such disregard for human life. To start the day determined to work for the Gospel—for peace, mercy and justice for all. None of us wants our thoughts and prayers to be inert and anemic. We pray rooted in the knowledge that God will topple all foes, through us, with us, among us. 

My prayers of lament gave way to praise that the Kingdom fully realized will beat all swords into plowshares and establish unbreakable shalom among the Beloved Community. Amen. 
 
Grace and peace,
Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation