Saturday/Sunday, November 27 & 28

 Saturday/Sunday, November 27 & 28

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:33)

As I write this, Hurricane Ida’s devastation is real in my community. The rising flood waters filled apartments and houses, washing away belongings and memories, leaving a wake of wet, moldy debris. Dumpsters around town are filled and overflowing with furniture and trash. Families are struggling to figure out where to live during rebuilding, juggling children, jobs and pets in the midst of the devastation.

The flooding of a home in natural disaster is a part of life that was once known and is now passing away. In the matter of a few hours, what was is now no more. Those who experience flooding have no choice but to view the impermanence of the “stuff” of life. The gospel of Luke takes it further to note that heaven and earth will pass away. In that moment, what remains?

Simply put, God’s love remains. God’s everlasting care for humanity remains. God’s promise of new life can not be touched by any earthly or heavenly destruction. In Christ, we know that life triumphs in the face of any and all death we experience. In the words of promise, grief will slowly lift as the sun rises the next day.

In our community, even amidst the deep grief and struggle following the flooding, the words slowly turn from despair to thanksgiving for life preserved, the help of neighbors and rebuilding together after disaster. God’s word lives in the community as we remind one another that hope and love persevere beyond disaster.

God of promise, strengthen us by your words of promise. When we grieve the losses of our human lives, show us signs of love and hope through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Reverend Dr. Jennifer L. Phelps is Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Perkasie.