The ability to lament
From Reverend Geoffrey Read
Lament. It’s not a word that’s used often in day-to-day English these days. Way back in 1986, American theologian Walter Brueggemann lamented „the costly loss of lament“, commenting on „the loss of life and faith incurred“in faith communities and wider society. Lament is common to many religious traditions and cultures. But it seems to be a lost art in the West and particularly in the „stiffer“parts of Europe!
Almost one third of the Jewish psalter are psalms of lament.
They are the honest outpouring of sadness by individuals and a community in the face of lifebending conundrums and faithstretching tragedy.
Three ingredients
Lament seems to me to have three vital ingredients: valuing the lost thing or person; expression of the pain of loss or parting, often mixed with a vital strand of complaint or protest; and stubborn trust and hope for the future.
A week ago, over 150 people gathered in the centre of Luxembourg-city for the countdown to midnight, to be with others, and to mark the moment of Brexit in an event called „Brexit – a Vigil“.
Although it took place in a church, had the title „Vigil“and was initiated by the clergy of two English speaking churches, it was a non-religious event, open to Brits and non-brits alike, and was jointly organised with a range of other secular groups.
Although we didn’t use the word, I believe what people were doing was lamenting, responding to three simple statements: „While Britain has been part of the EU I have valued...“; „Now Britain is leaving I feel...“; „Now Britain is leaving I hope...“. Together they are the three ingredients of lament.
Some expressed their responses in simple written messages left through the day, others as they were moved by the music chosen for the occasion and sung in a recital. For some, it was their tears during the two minutes silence up to midnight, while for others lament was in their wistful singing of Auld Lang Syne accompanied by that most evocative of lament instruments, the bagpipes. All lamented in conversation in the vital ingredient of a coupe de l’amitié, many staying long into the small hours.
Brueggemann is right. We lose something vital when we lose the ability to lament. For we do not learn from experience alone; we learn and grow by reflecting on experience. Lament is the rich treasure of faith communities. Might it also be our rich gift to even a largely secular society which may have lost the art of lament but nevertheless, at times, keenly feels its need?
The Anglican Church of Luxembourg will hold its Charity Arts Festival to raise funds for “Stëmm vun der Strooss” and “Naledi Projects” this Sunday from 12.30 to 19.30 in the Konvikt Centre, 5, Avenue Marie-thérèse. There will be musical and dance performances, workshops, craft displays and various activities and amusements for children as well as food, drink and books to buy. For further information and the full programme, visit www.anglican.lu.
The event „Brexit – a Vigil“in Luxembourg sich euer Glaube nicht auf Menschenweisheit stützte, sondern auf die Kraft Gottes.
Evangelium vum 5. Sonndeg am Joreskrees(joer A / Mt 5, 13-16)
De Jesus sot zu senge Jünger: „Dir sidd d’salz vun der Äerd! Wann awer dat Salz fad ginn ass, wouduerch kann et dann nees salzeg gemaach ginn? Et daacht näischt méi, et ass just nach gutt, fir erausgehäit a vun de Leit zertrëppelt ze ginn. Dir sidd d’liicht vun der Welt! Eng Stad, déi uewen um Bierg läit, kann een net verstoppen. Et fänkt ee jo och net eng Luucht un an ’t stellt een se dann ënner e Sieschter, ma ’t stellt een se op de Liichter, an da liicht se fir all déi, déi am Haus sinn. Esou soll äert Liicht virun de Leit liichten, fir datt si är gutt Wierker gesinn an äre Papp am Himmel verherrlechen.“
Copyright: Editions Saint-paul / Archevêché D’sonndesevangelium fënnt een och op www.cathol.lu