Where is God?

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This post is a reflection on Dr. Daniel's post on the recent events in Newtown, Ct. You can read Dr. Daniel's post here. As we struggle to make sense of tragedy we believe that it's best done through prayer, conversation, reflection and love. Your comments, reflections and questions are always welcome. 

~Jen Hibben, Associate Pastor

Where is God?

by Don R. Elly

As we cope with the murder, mayhem and death of school children, teachers and the staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School of Newtown, Connecticut, I want to share a few immediate reflections to guide us as people of faith in responding to this tragic event. These random thoughts began to bubble up for me as I sat in prayer at worship on this past Sunday morning, December 16. Some of my reflection will not be new.

 My first thought was that this is not the first time this has happened to loved ones, children, teachers, and families in our lives. It happened in the past and continues to happen all over the world today. A text for us to reflect on in light of this tragedy for this Advent season is Matthew 2:13-23. It is called “the killing of innocents” by King Herod and follows the visit of the Wise Men at the birth of Jesus. King Herod takes his rage out on innocent children Jesus’ age. Joseph and Mary in a dream are warned to flee from Bethlehem to save Jesus. I imagine if the parents and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary could have been warned in a dream by angels not to send their children to school that day the tragedy might have been averted. 

 The writer tells us this act was “to fulfill scripture.” I have problems with this interpretation. I am thankful for God, angels, Mary, Joseph and Jesus’ story that calls us to see God’s greater purpose. We do have a part in avoiding tragedies like those perpetrated by King Herod and all other who do evil in order to hold on to power, or seek to discover a sense of purpose in life by inflicting pain on others. We are, I believe, by this story and contemporary events, called to do whatever we can to prevent violence and contribute to healing and wholeness in the world. We are all, like Mary and Joseph, meant to be God’s partners in caring for and nurturing good in this world. That God entrusted God’s self to Mary and Joseph who despite their low estate did all they could to assist Jesus to grow up as God’s Good News is a challenge we all need to internalize in this Advent season. God, you see, is present and alive in each of us when we are appalled by such tragedy and continue to work on protecting, nurturing God’s dream of a Kingdom of harmony so that all may know God is real, and that love and good are alive and stronger than sin, evil and darkness. For the full and beautiful description of this Kingdom you might want to read Isaiah 11:1-10 or Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

 “Where is God when events like this happen?” implied whenever this question is raised the expectation is that “God is absent since this event happened!” My answer is that God is present in the person of every parent, teacher, and member of society who continues to exhibit the love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness of God and works toward the “Kingdom of God” revealed in Jesus’ birth. This Kingdom is meant to be a society of peace, justice, love, hope, and harmonious cooperation among all people in all universes. God is present in every person in the world who works toward the world envisioned in the Bible and the world’s great religious teachings about love of God, neighbor. This Kingdom is present when all are treated with equality so that what God intends can happen. For me, God was not absent at Sandy Hook Elementary School–but present in those who gave their lives that as many children as possible were saved.

 “God called them all home!” Mr. President, thank you for standing up as a symbol of comfort, compassion and sympathy for the parents and families who lost loved ones and mapping out the challenges that face us in the future if these kind of events are to stop. I respectfully disagree with you theologically as to God’s action here. I understand the comfort you are attempting to communicate but I do not believe that “God called these children home.” It is and always is God’s intent that every child, since we are all God’s children, be supported, protected and nurtured to become fully functioning, healthy adults. In light of that I fully support any action taken to prohibit guns and violence from being glorified in our society as the way to solve problems of human relationships, be that internationally, nationally or locally. If I were in your shoes I would start by making clear in your State of the Union message for 2013 that assault weapons will be banned and destroyed, and that as a nation we will no longer sell arms to other countries as a means of economic profit without thinking about the long range consequences of such action. I would support you, the Congress and local legislature in enacting legislation to prohibit the sale of violent video games to children as entertainment which might mean prosecuting adults who make money selling and distributing this product and making it available to children. I believe that we live in a society that exalts the “profit motive” above the best interests of a safe, peaceful, just and compassionate society.

Where is God? Right here in the middle of the mess we make of God’s world grieving, loving and challenging us to become a “light to the nations” and an “ensign of peace”, a people who live up to all God would give us through creation.

A Prayer: God, May I never forget when tragedy, sin, evil, darkness and despair set in and afflict us, you do not disappear. Though we in our pain may not feel your presence, may we trust beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are weeping, working and hold us together so your larger vision of love will never die. Amen.

You can follow Don Elly at: donrelly.wordpress.com