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08/18/2002 Entry: "National grief"
Almost exactly two weeks ago, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman went missing. For two weeks, Britain has waited and hoped with their families, praying for their safe return. Now hope is ended. Bodies have been discovered, two arrests have been made, and the dreadful process of identification must be endured by their parents.This morning I stood in a pulpit in Swansea, 250 miles from the place of these terrible events, and realised that I couldn't preach the carefully crafted sermon I had prepared. I knew I had to confront my own feelings, address the dark shadow that these murders had cast over my faith and the faith of others. We'd sung a paraphrase of Psalm 23:
In death's dark vale I fear no illWith thee, dear Lord, beside me;Thy rod and staff my comfort still,Thy cross before to guide me.As we were singing I knew, as if for the first time, that it is only the Cross which offers any hope to the meaninglessness and despair of a story like this. For God shares our pain, our sense of loss. He has not remained aloof, but "emptied himself of all but love" for the sake of his people. In the lectionary readings for today St Paul reminds the Romans that God's promises are eternal:
...the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29)while the story in the gospel reading (Matt 15:21-28) shows that the compassion of God is determined by human need, not race or strict religious observance. "In death's dark vale" all we can do is cling to the faithfulness of God, trusting his promises, and determine to live by the compassion to which he calls us.The words of the hymnwriter Anna Laetitia Waring are a gift from God:
In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear.and safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.the storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?Wherever he may guide me, no want shall turn me back.my Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.his wisdom ever waketh, his sight is never dim.He knows the way he taketh, and I will walk with him
Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen.Bright skies will soon be o'er me, where darkest clouds have been.My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free.My Saviour has my treasure, and he will walk with me.
