Rediscovering lamentation
Steph at Just Etchings tells a story of communal wailing in Afghanistan and contrasts it with grief in the West:
Our Western culture allows us to participate in the joy and celebrations of others with cheering, laughing, lots of activity and noise. Yet in sorrow we are silent and withdrawn. Why is grief meant to by silent? Why we are afraid to let our lamenting be heard? Long ago it was said “rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.” I am sure you, like I, have been in deep sorrow yet there has been no one to sorrow with us. . .Steph makes a valuable point: that Westerners lack socially acceptable means of lamentation. That is no small loss.
posted by Milton Stanley at 7:12 AM
2 Comments:
Milton I love this title "rediscoverinbg lamentation".
There is so much suffering and grief surrounding us, and within our own stories, and yet we hide it away.
But Jesus never hid these things. I think he has so much to teach me about how to grieve and also learning how to celebrate. We will always live in the tension of the two won't we.
We sure do live in that tension. Thanks for reminding us of the need for lamentation. Peace.
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