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Book of Lamentations – expressions of suffering
The Old Testament contains the Book of Lamentations. The writings in this book express great grief over suffering, the national humiliation of Israel, confession of sin, submission to merited chastisement and strong faith in the constancy of God’s love and power to restore. The union of burning grief and unquenchable hope reflects the constant prophetic vision of the weakness of the human person and the strength of God’s love.
A sample from one Lamentation is offered to show how suffering has been wrestled with for a long time, how difficult it is to cope with it, and how hope in God surfaces in the ardent believer’s prayer:
“My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call to mind any reason to hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore I will hope in him. Good is the Lord to one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him; it is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.” Lamentation 3, 17-26
In our world we see individual lives torn apart, families torn apart, and nations torn apart. The result of this violence is a huge amount of suffering that could be mostly eliminated if people would “love one another as I have loved you.”
Failure to respect one another, to respect and accept differences, to respect and help the destitute, and the failure to treat one another with dignity and honor—all this results in much sorrow, pain, loneliness, and destruction of lives. We can’t minimize the pain and suffering inflicted on one another. The Scriptures offer hope and assurance that God will bring good out of these terrible conditions.
The Resurrection of Jesus is the signature event for the Catholic Christian that God triumphs over all evil, even death. Now like the psalmist we pray “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.” Psalm 85, 2
Hear Paul’s strong comments:
“If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides? . . . Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? . . I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8, 31-39
And finally something from the letter of St. James:
“My brothers and sisters, count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing. Happy the person who holds out to the end through trial. Once he has been proved he will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1, 2-4; 12
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To remember
When we are going through some personal suffering, attitude often makes the difference between experiencing some peace and tranquility or anger and negativity.
Sometimes there is no reasonable explanation that can be given for the sorrow of the heart.
One can only live the mystery of suffering. Prayer and trust in the goodness and love of God is a source of strength and hope.
Without explanation Jesus simply said “Take up your cross and follow me.”
He also mentioned: “Come to me all you who labor and find life burdensome and I will help.”
There is the assurance that together we will get through this.
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When you are hurting who puts their arms around you for support?
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“It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.” This suggestion from Lamentations calls one to a deeper faith and trust.
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Sit by this peaceful lake and talk to the Lord about the suffering in the world
that it can get depressing, that you feel so helpless to make things better, that you wonder what is happening to our world and that you don’t want to get depressed.
Take a lot of time to sit in this beautiful scene and soak in peace.
Listen to Jesus speak about suffering his own and that of so many others that “grieves” Him.
Does He give you hope that the time will come when “every tear will be wiped away?”
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