blessed are those who mourn

Good morning friends,
Today's reading is from the Book of Lamentations. This book is also known as the Lamentations of Jeremiah because traditionally it was thought to be written by Jeremiah. Modern biblical scholars aren't convinced of this, and the book itself doesn't make that connection. Lamentations is a collections of five poems or songs of mourning for the fall of Jerusalem. They pour out the grief of watching the mighty city of God fall, remembering the siege and the final defeat. Themes of guilt for the injustice that led to the defeat as well as grief and anger run throughout the book. There is also a hint of trust in God, who is always faithful even when things look hopeless.

As in many poetic passages about Jerusalem the city is presented as a woman: in this case a daughter and princess of the King. Jerusalem's other name, Zion is also used in the passage. The notion of her lovers could refer, as it does in several of the prophets, to idols; it could also refer to Judah's attempts at alliance with other countries like Egypt before this defeat. Lamentation is not only this book, but a whole genre of poetry of grief that allows us to weep before the Lord. Like our anger, God can handle our grief, and God will be with us when we mourn.

God bless,
Sam


Lamentations 1:1-6

1:1 How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces has become a vassal. She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. Judah has gone into exile with suffering and hard servitude; she lives now among the nations, and finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress.


1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her young girls grieve, and her lot is bitter. Her foes have become the masters, her enemies prosper, because the LORD has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe. From daughter Zion has departed all her majesty. Her princes have become like stags that find no pasture; they fled without strength before the pursuer.