Reflection by Deborah Beach Giordano
When in Trouble, Blame God...
And the voice of God spoke and said:
“What a mess you’ve made! What terrible tragedies! And now you want Me to fix things? That’s typical. You know what to do; I’ve told you repeatedly what is right — yet here we are, again.”
And so it is. Here we are, again. A good deal worse than we can ever remember; yet it all has a terrible familiarity. It all sounds so …. Biblical.
The Voice continued:
“Avenging armies arise in response to ideas, actions, and energies — released by you, and not Me. Hatred and contempt for the impoverished, the elderly, the addicted; the outsiders: the disabled, the disfigured, the diseased, and — most of all — those you consider your enemies.
“These the first to fall: struck down and forgotten — how happy and content you must be!
“No words of compassion for the poor and the desperate, no tears for the weary, the weak, and the dying, and not a trace of concern for the hurt and harm this does to Me.
“Look, you serve your own interests while the people suffer; accumulating still-greater riches from the losses of the poor. Sacrificing human lives to the god Mammon, poisoning creation, abusing animals, seeking to destroy and tear down rather than bless and build up.
“Look, you use crises and troubles only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with wicked fist; fighting for power, hurling accusations, even as the bodies of the dead pile up along the streets.
“The evils you have perpetuated, the poison you have unleashed, has spread like a plague — far beyond your control.
“And now… After all you’ve done, you blame this on Me?”
❧
Thus sayeth the Lord. Over and over again. We’ve been given free will: and look how we’ve misused it.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. It is time — far past the time — for us to look — honestly and unflinchingly — at ourselves and ask:
What truly matters? Who do we care for, and how? What have we taken for granted, and what (and who!) do we now recognize as important?
How do we behave toward one another: as wondrous, miraculous children of God — or as virulent enemies?
At its most basic, the question is: are we among the blessing-bearers or do we stand with those who curse and tear down?
And, if we choose to abandon our faith, if love and compassion cease to matter; if our only concern is self-interest: what of the fact that we do, indeed, reap what we sow?
How shall we live — if humanity survives — in the days and (hopefully) years to follow? What have we learned? What blessings can we bring to heal God’s hurting heart?
May the Spirit of Mercy and Compassion be with us and guide us,
Deborah ✟
The Promise that Follows
Then it will be like the dawn of a new day, a new beginning; and your healing will come quickly. Your charity and compassion will lead you, and God’s radiant power will have your back. Then when you call, you will hear the Beloved’s answer; when you cry for help, God will call out, “Here I am.”
If you free your hearts from hatred, cease sneering and sniping and accusing one another of every kind of wickedness; if you focus on nurturing and comforting those in need, if you bless and do not curse, then you will bring light into the deepest gloom, like the sun breaking forth after a storm.
God will guide you continually, and nourish you, and strengthen you, and you shall be like a glorious tree in whose branches all of the birds of the air take shelter.
~ Isaiah 58:8-11
Suggested Spiritual Exercise
Pray for all that dwell upon the earth.
Partial Resource List for Challenging Times
Domestic Violence
www.thehotline.org
1-800-799-7233
Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org
Provides listing of regional phone numbers
Alanon/Alateen
Resources for families/friends
al-anon.org
Suicide Prevention
1-800-273-8255
Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Family Violence Prevention information (U.S.A.)
www.SAMHSA.gov