He prayed for death: “Enough, LORD! Take my life,
for I am no better than my ancestors.”
1 Kings 19:4
In
preparation for this article I read from a book worthy of its own Amazon mini-series.
The book, 1 Kings, is where we find Elijah, the greatest prophet of the Old Testament
in today’s first reading. It is helpful
to know a little about the story’s other two main characters: Ahab (a king of
Israel) and Jezebel. 1 Kings 16:30-31 tells us all we need know.
Ahab,
son of Omri, did what was evil in the LORD’s sight more than any of his
predecessors. It was not enough for him to follow the sins of Jeroboam, son of
Nebat. He even married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and
began to serve Baal, and worship him.
Jezebel
brought 1,000 prophets of Baal with her and slaughtered all but one hundred of
the prophets of Israel. Elijah alone
openly stood against Jezebel. He called for and won a throw-down with the prophets
of Baal. The people rose up and slaughtered the false-prophets. Jezebel’s swears to avenge these deaths and
pursues Elijah. Today’s reading begins with Elijah sitting in despair under a
broom tree begging God to take his life.
The
rawness of Elijah’s words do not sit well with me. Like most people, I can be
slowed down by a head-wind or uphill climb. But this swing from elation to
despair is troubling. It strikes a chord in me as a parent and someone who
works with young people.
The
U.S Center for Disease Control reports the following:
- In
2011 suicide became the 2nd leading cause of death in Americans between
the ages of 15-34.
- In
2014 Suicide became the 2nd leading cause of death in Americans between
the ages of 10-14
- Suicide
has taken the life of more Americans than homicide in Americans between
the ages of 10-35 since 2012
God’s
word offers hope.
Elijah
is wakened by an angel who brings a hearth cake and a jug of water commanding
him to eat.
The
psalmist writes “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he saves
them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the stalwart one who
takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:7-8
Today’s
music reflects the hope found in today’s scripture readings. The verses of “Strength for the Journey”
affirm we have a road to travel, and a cross to carry. In the third verse the song asks “How many
times have you doubted my word?” The
answer to each of these questions is God reminding us “I will be strength for
the journey.”
Our
offertory song is the African-American spiritual; “There is a Balm in Gilead”
(#456). While the initial reaction of some will be to find it depressing, I am
moved by its somber nature and its history of comfort. I’ve placed it at
offertory to remind us that sacrifice of Jesus is balm for the sadness and
trails of our lives.
Blessed
to be in ministry at St. Mary’s,
Bruce
PS
Ironically,
the following article came across my Facebook feed. It recalls an op-ed piece
from 30 years ago where The NY Times
where Willian Styron (the author of Sophie’s Choice) broke a taboo by writing
an op-ed about his own depression.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/03/opinion/sunday/depression-william-styron.html
PPS
Later
the same day an old friend tells me that his son missed 50 days of seventh
grade due to depression. I have scheduled a repeating reminder on my calendar
to reach out to this young man who has called me “Uncle Bruce” since he was
able to talk.
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