|
16 March 2005
Dear Hearts,
Over the last several days many of you have expressed pain and
sadness concerning recent acts of violence. I have had numerous
conversations about the shooting deaths of judges and the startling
murder of worshipers in Wisconsin. And then, last night, several
of us shared our grief, anger, and tears concerning the Iowa House
vote to amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex relationships.
This was an unnecessary act of discrimination, which, by all accounts
that I have read, will not be passed by our State Senate. The power
of its violence, however, is still felt by a large number of our
congregation. Many of you personally met with one of our Representatives
in your homes to authentically share your lives. Supposedly, his
life was transformed by these honest and nonviolent exchanges and
he agreed, as we understood him, not to vote in favor of the amendment.
We followed the active nonviolent path of Jesus. He voted for the
amendment.
We are approaching Holy Week. This morning, after an interrupted
night of sleep, I feel the power of the story more profoundly in
my heart and spirit. I am mindful of the women and men, including
the mother of Jesus, who were present at the foot of the cross.
It was gruesome and frightening. In those moments, all they were
able to do was bear witness to the horror as their hopes for the
reign of God's love were nailed to a tree and executed. They themselves
must have felt placed in a stone cold tomb. The rock that sealed
the grave must surely have felt like a profound period.
BUT, while their experience was powerful and devastating, it was
not the end. God was at work amongst the broken pieces, shattered
hearts, and abandoned dreams. New life and new hope would be birthed.
Easter's dawn would cast new light and banish despairing shadows.
We are a gentle, angry people; we are an Easter people. Let us
find shelter in each other, holding one another in gentle firmness
that leaves no one standing alone. Let us bear witness to the violence
and tell the truth about our pain. And let us look for the dawn
when violence will be vanquished and compassion and love remove
the stones of fear.
Ours is a Stillspeaking God. And I stand with you as we currently
look at a tomb full of broken hearts and I am ready to proclaim
the renewed Alleluias of an Easter people.
In hopes of wholeness,
The Rev. S. Michael Pater
Senior Pastor
|
