August 29, 2025
“Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted, for they are no more.” —Jeremiah 31:15
In this passage, Rachel symbolizes the grieving mothers of Israel, weeping for their children, who are being taken into Babylonian exile. The verse is part of Jeremiah's "Book of Consolation" that foreshadows the future restoration of Israel after their suffering and exile. It honors their deep losses, offers God's message of comfort, and promises a time to come when their struggles will be over.
In our time, Rachel is still weeping. As for me, I am at the "refuses to be comforted" stage. As yet another act of gun violence has torn through our community, and lives of even more precious children have been taken, I find myself heartbroken, of course. I also find myself furious. Why do we, as a society, allow this to continue, when there are things that can be done?
For those who have not seen it, here is an excerpt from Bishop Loya's statement yesterday, which is likely far more helpful to you than my anger:
The fact that we live in a nation where children are shot and killed while at worship or in school would be unimaginable if it wasn’t so common. Over decades, our elected officials have proven unwilling to take even the smallest steps toward addressing the fact that in many parts of our nation, it is easier to purchase a gun that is designed only to kill large numbers of humans than it is to get a license to drive a car. As a nation, we have chosen access to guns over the ability to assemble in our most sacred public spaces without fear. This crushing grief is simply what that collective choice costs.
In moments like this, we all feel helpless, angry, and afraid. But as followers of a savior who was executed by a broken and corrupt political establishment, we know a few things for certain. First, the resurrection of Jesus that we proclaim week in and week out in our congregations establishes forever that God’s love is the most powerful force for change and healing in the universe, and that love will one day break down and recreate even the most corrupt and broken systems we inhabit. So in the hardest moments, we double down on our commitment to be people who live by the law of love in a world that is ruled by narrow self-interest... Click here to continue reading the Bishop's message.
Saint Anne's Peace & Justice team has plans for a speaker on gun safety to come to Saint Anne's in November (this was pre-planned) and I hope you'll all be able to attend. Meanwhile, our work continues.
I am holding you all close in this tender time. My prayer for every last one of us this week is that one day the weeping will be no more.