To Repair The World

If there is one word that could sum up the week that we have collectively experienced, it is “brokenness”. Reading through my Facebook feed, the honest and raw posts by women and men of past sexual abuse experiences left me often in tears. The deep wounds—too often carried in a shroud of silence and secrecy by our family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and selves--together create a massive oozing scab on our societal psyche.

If places (like church) and people (those we call family and friends) are not safe enough so that we can grow and flourish without fear of harm, is it any wonder why our communities are places of so much turmoil and pain? When someone’s personhood is reduced to a “thing” to be used/abused/discarded, we have failed mightily to see the image of God that person possesses. And our harmful treatment causes them to begin to doubt that they are indeed a beloved child of God, worthy of care and compassion.

This breach spills out beyond our interpersonal relationships and into the world. The earth bears the scars of our failure to reverence the gift God has given us in nature, and the responsibility we have been bestowed by God to be careful stewards of it.

The world, our relationships, our souls are in need of repair.

Henri Nouwen reminds us: “Jesus didn't say, 'Blessed are those who care for the poor.' He said, 'Blessed are we where we are poor, where we are broken.' It is there that God loves us deeply and pulls us into deeper communion with [Godself].” If you are weighted down by brokenness, know that it is in the midst of your brokenness that God comes with a healing love to mend that which has been harmed. Open yourself up to that love and share it with the walking wounded around you.

My Jewish friends have taught me about the concept of “tikkun olam”, of “repairing the world”. It is each person’s responsibility to engage in loving acts of kindness not only for one’s own well-being, but for the well-being of the world.

We United Methodists talk about “personal piety and social holiness”. Our own salvation is connected to saving the world. Our vital faith and commitment to Christ ought to be made visible in our justice-making and seeking right relationship with each other and the earth.

Tomorrow, bring the brokenness of your life and of our world and lay it on the altar. Let God’s love wash over you. May you hear God’s voice saying, “You are my beloved child in whom I delight.” Then, hand in hand with those around you, may you seek to repair the world.