Act of Care and Service

Stop.

Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “Fill me with compassion.” As you breathe out say, “Send me to your people.” Repeat as many times as you need.

Listen.

Lord and lover of humankind,

Teach us to groan as you must groan, sudden mourners, all of us. Cry with us, instruct us in the language of lamentation.

For wars we thought were far away have snatched lives so near, Anonymous as our own, and dear as our own,

And what shall we do Lord, with all our might?

What are we to do?

-       Litany from “9/11”, written by Gabe Huck, music by Gregg Smith, commissioned by Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church, New York City, first performed on September 8, 2002

Reflect.

Conversations about the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks feel different now following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. America’s longest war has ended, and in its wake, our news has been freshly filled with pictures of panicked crowds and desperate people. Eager to capitalize on tragedy, different voices from different sides rush to point fingers about who failed, who broke promises, who could have done better, all while real people suffer and real lives change. It adds suffering to suffering.  

In the litany above, written in advance of the first anniversary of the September 11th attacks, the authors use the evocative line, “For wars we thought were far away have snatched lives so near, anonymous as our own, and dear as our own.” In other words: suffering we thought we could distance from ourselves has come near. We now realize that even our own lives can be written off as distant suffering made anonymous, when we know full well that these are real lives, real people, real grief. 

This can make us feel helpless in the face of tragedy and loss. We might feel overwhelmed or helpless, whether the horror is twenty years ago or just last week. The truth we hold onto is that our God goes with us, we are not alone, and God calls us into meaningful action. There’s always something we can do. It might be as simple and accessible as prayer and lament. It might be acts of service and giving for your community to pay tribute to those you cannot serve. It might be something even bigger. But you can trust that God will point you to the work and has already given you what you need to do it. 

We are not called to theoretical people. We are called to our neighbors, real people, whose suffering could just as easily be our own. The One who made us and defends us calls us to the side of any who need God’s comfort and care through our words, actions, and gifts. 

Pray.

Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of danger and trouble, be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (From Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Carry On.

What’s one tangible act of care and service you can do this week instead of feeling hopeless or helpless? Nothing is too small.