Tag: suffering

Posted in Different Scriptures, Uncategorized

Wisdom of Elihu

Posted on by Wick

If you’ve been reading the lectionary passages this past week, you’ve been reading a lot of Job. It’s an apropos reminder, as we finally begin to hear from Elihu, of the cacophony of voices shouting over one another in our political spheres. Each voice attempting to present their own wise perspective, or slam the faulty perspectives of their opponent. When the friends of Job finally seem to have exhausted their words, young Elihu steps forward in Job 32:1-22. Here is a poem I wrote in response, found in my books of poetry in response to the lectionary readings…

How many more Elihu
Have building pressure within?
Waiting, in this noisy world
For silence to begin

As the loudest voices argue
Or share their pompous views
While the powerless remain so
And the injured are abused

While the indebted remain bound by debt
Or hunger in their pangs
While so many search for wisdom
Only the noise remains

Yet Lord, may pressure build even now
May Elihu not keep quiet
On behalf of those in power
And those in suffering by it

May those with your heart burst to speak
No longer keeping silent
May healing come to those injured
And peace where some are violent

May I release the Word You give
The Love that flesh becomes
May Your Reign revealed through such Words
Cast out all false kingdoms

(Amen.)

Posted in Different Books, Uncategorized

Finding Home (book review)

Posted on by Wick

From the book cover: “For nine months in Auschwitz, eighteen-year-old Eva Fleiss clung to sanity by playing piano on imaginary keyboards. After liberation, Eva and the five remaining Jews of Laszlo, Hungary, journey home, seeking to restart their lives. Yet the town that deported them is not ready to embrace their return. Their former neighbors and friends resist relinquishing their newfound status and property, and they struggle with their roles as perpetrators, enablers, and bystanders during the Holocaust.

Longing for connection to her old life, Eva agrees to clean her former home, now the mayor’s home, in return for practice time on her piano. As her profound experiences allow her to access music at a depth she didn’t know existed, Eva’s performances begin to affect those around her-with unexpected consequences.”

Quote from the book: “The women in the camp said Jews mitigate the distress of loneliness through communal compassion, but except for the baker Eva didn’t know any of these men. What did she represent to them? A lost daughter or sister? A community that no longer existed? She didn’t want to be their Jewish hope for the future, she didn’t want to be anybody’s anything. Maybe she was being selfish, but the weight of her own grief was hard enough to bear without being responsible for anyone else’s happiness.”

Here we have just one example of the beauty within “Finding Home”, a historical fiction recently released, written by champion of great coffee, Dean Cycon. Even with so many books written that involve this tragedy of human history, this book stands out as a unique invitation to know the hearts of a particular experience. His research and his own heart shine through over and over again throughout the book, as he captures and shares well what it may be like from the perspective of each character. I hesitate to write too much, because I really don’t want to spoil anything. Having lived in Hungary, and having grandparents who fled Jewish persecution years before The Holocaust, the book hit home several times. You are invited to wrestle with God in a faith that becomes more than words. You can imagine strolling the streets of a post-WWII Hungarian village. You are introduced to cultures and worlds you knew existed, but always from a distance. You can imagine the difficult relationships a young woman would need to navigate as she returns, infinitely wounded, to a place where wounds have become the way of life.

Thankfully, you can also hear whispers of hope and healing throughout. Even in the darkest of nights, a small light shines and can make all the difference. The power of music to transcend our woundedness, even as it gives voice to a healing lament, is a moving part of this story – and our world still today. Cycon also does an amazing job of “explaining” elements of both Jewish faith and classical musicianship in ways that help you feel invited – even if you’re an “outsider” in these areas usually.

As with any book involving the immense suffering and injustice of The Holocaust, I would use discretion in recommending to younger readers. Most everything about this topic should offend us. Parents – read it first, and decide for yourself. But there is nothing offensive included gratuitously.

I highly recommend reading this book, especially while sipping a cup or 10 of great coffee, and enjoying a Kakaós Csiga as well. Caution: Seriously, you will end up wanting to visit Budapest after reading this book. If that happens, let me know – I’ve got some great friends in Hungary who would love to help you plan your stay. Until then, “Olvassa el ezt a könyvet, és Isten áldja meg.”

Posted in Spoken Word

A Pause (selah)

Posted on by Wick

https://youtu.be/dJ-y0CXVWHo

Turning off the screen, we pause,
For we’ve seen far too much obscene for one life to handle
One more event where God’s beloved scramble

Away from danger, crying out and wondering if they’re heard
All while conversations remain in the realm of the absurd
So oft’ distracted by the rights of the many as if they negate the plight
Of those underfoot, under feet planted firmly
Proclaiming solid ground – because it’s easier than hearing the sound

Of lament
Of our discontent
Of lives spent wondering if there’s room for them at the table
Wondering if they’ll ever be able to face another day
Wondering what they might say to children looking for answers
Because for some cancers there are no cures, only treatment
And mistreatment is all they’ve so far known
A world that’s shown them more shadow than anyone deserves
Throwing curves every time they step up to the plate
Or simply telling them to wait

Wait until it’s your turn
Wait to get what you have earned
Wait until the resources you needed have been burned
to fuel the fires – meeting the desires of those who were heard first
But there is hope for those who thirst

And the heavens burst with the glory of One who has revealed
An existence healed of all that once has bound
A resounding call for Freedom and reconciliation
But to hear, we may need to change the station

Because we’ve been arguing with straw men for far too long
Assuming the strong voices and the ones who offer the choices
spoke with authority, assuming those with seniority
have always done it right, siding with those who win the fight.

But there is a redemption arriving, a New Life thriving
That embraces every color
Protects every student seeking to discover
Embraces every adjective we might uncover
And covers all with “BE LOVED”.
Whether you’ve been shoved, or your arms are extended
The old ways of living have ended, as God has befriended humanity
When we couldn’t be doing worse
Breaking the curse

Offering Life Anew
Not just to wait here in the Pew, forgiven to get out there and do
To proclaim that me and you, we’re New Creation
Salvation in Jesus is not just something that happens in our hearts
It happens between them as well. Not just heaven and hell
But living Word for worlds in pain. For those moments you can’t explain
Where suffering pours like rain on soggy ground
We declare that peace can still abound.

This is not by a cheap grace found in false pretending
Not by sending hallmark sentiments while remaining on our own
Jesus. left. His. throne.
We don’t respond alone, but united in His mission
No more wishing things would change
No more living estranged, but joining Jesus as He goes
Nurturing as He sows for harvests already begun
Laying down guns for gloves and spade
Seeking to bring light where there is shade

In a world of those fighting to win,
While some are waiting for it to be rid of sin
We hear Jesus inviting us to begin

Listen to the hurt, see the unseen,
Suffer with those in pain
Love others beyond learning name
And in all of this – proclaim…
Jesus.