COMMENTARY: With God, Mourning of Tsunami Can Turn to Joy

c. 2005 Religion News Service LONDON _ I have been slow to pick up on the Southeast Asian tsunami disaster. Aware of it, but not engaged, a consequence perhaps of being on vacation and not reading newspapers. On New Year’s Eve, however, a mighty throng who were gathered on the Victoria Embankment opposite the London […]

c. 2005 Religion News Service

LONDON _ I have been slow to pick up on the Southeast Asian tsunami disaster. Aware of it, but not engaged, a consequence perhaps of being on vacation and not reading newspapers.

On New Year’s Eve, however, a mighty throng who were gathered on the Victoria Embankment opposite the London Eye for an epic fireworks display paused for two dramatic minutes of silence _ an eternity in a setting like that _ to honor the dead.


Sunday’s Times of London had some 20 pages of coverage, including terrifying photos of the waves crashing ashore, a mother running toward the wall of water to rescue her sons, a father wading ashore carrying his dead son and grounds littered with bodies. Reporters wrote of staggering loss and bravery.

At the 11:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist at St. Paul’s Cathedral, itself a target for man-made firestorms 65 years ago, the preacher told how expectations get altered by events, and in the end, we all depend on each other. Sunday’s offering was pledged to disaster relief.

As I worshipped with people of several dozen nationalities, in every kind of attire, from every station in life, I thought how wonderful it is when we break bread together, and how tragic when we judge each other and allow doctrine _ airy theories, for God’s sake _ to come between us. What possible contribution do our little wars over dogma and church practice make in a world subject to sudden storms, incendiary bombing, genocide, unstoppable fires and all the tragedies that “flesh is heir to”?

At one level, London is a testimony to humankind’s tragedies. After worship and “Sunday roast” (don’t ask) at a Fleet Street pub, we took the Underground to the Tower of London, started by William in A.D. 1100 to demonstrate his power and glory after conquest, expanded and rebuilt numerous times to repel invaders, host to several beheadings and celebrity imprisonments, savaged by the Great Fire of 1666, and home to the Crown Jewels, purchased at imperialism’s great price of life and freedom lost.

And yet London not only survives its tragedies, but thrives. Fire destroys two-thirds of London in 1666, and they hire Sir Christopher Wren to lead a rebuilding. Germans stage nightly bombing raids, and renowned hunting outfitter Purdy & Sons mounts a plaque pointing to gouges in its marble columns. The very peoples whom British imperialists treated so rudely flock here for jobs and hope.

Christians, of all people, should know about moving on. Our faith tells us that tragedy isn’t the final word. Events as monstrous as the Boxing Day tsunami will give way to rescue, rebuilding and renewed partnerships. Neither the vanity of royals nor the mindless carping of “mockers” will drown out hope. God will “turn mourning into joy,” said the prophet Jeremiah, and give “gladness for sorrow.” God doesn’t cause our travail, but God surely will receive our travail as an offering and give back to us living bread.

I joined the line at St. Paul’s edging forward to receive the sacrament beneath Wren’s amazing dome, and I thought that we must get out of our own way. Our doctrines, theories, squabbles, privileges, arch manners and snarling preferences offer nothing. Our self-serving morality crusades offer nothing. Our peevish and hate-filled conventions offer nothing.


They are little more than gift bread made rancid by our prideful hoarding. As the celebrant said Sunday _ flanked by African acolytes, male and female clergy, and an American choir, speaking to several hundred Africans, Asians, Europeans, Americans and Britons _ “The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

It is time we gave to this noisy, storm-tossed world solid food that will nourish and comfort.

MO/PH END RNS

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