From Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta:

 Recent days have made me long for a time when we can gather again in person to worship God. A time when we can be nourished by both word and sacrament. As I hear of the loss of life around the world I hurt for those who are mourning loved ones. When I hear of life milestones—graduations, weddings, retirements, and funerals—being placed on hold because of this pandemic I hurt for those who are experiencing loss. 

When my father suddenly passed away from a heart attack eight years ago I grieved alongside my sister for weeks. Spiritually I felt dry because I had nothing else to give. All my tears had drained me of life and I would call out “where are you, oh God? Why can’t you take this pain away?” I was experiencing the words of Psalm 42, which begins, “as a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” 

Today, like then, I take comfort in the words found in verses 5 and 11 of this Psalm,

“why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

Our hope can only be in God. The pain that we feel today can be comforted with the thought that sometime soon we will once again praise God. It is fitting to remember that this too shall pass. Our thirst is only temporary, but God is constant. Amen.

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta
Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality