Opening his December 15th show, Stephen Colbert acknowledged the tragedies that struck over the weekend. He began the show by recognizing the Hanukkah Massacre, the shooting at Brown University, and the horrific murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner, saying, “other people’s tragedy is sacred ground.” It was not an opportunity for a joke or political jab. He went on to say that “in light of and in spite of the darkness,” they would still be putting on a comedy show that night.
Comedians have the difficult task of making others laugh, pushing boundaries, and revealing the complexities of truth, knowing the tragedies people bring with them. Christians share alot of those tasks as well, but perhaps instead of “laugh,” we have been called to offer words that make us and others “hope.” Our hope does not ignore tragedy. In spite of tragedy, our hope is born; Our hope is greater than fear and despair. For people of God, there are seasons when hope dims, and yet it is never extinguished!
Rev. Speed’s poem references the racially motivated attack on a black worshipers in Charleston, South Carolina, only just 10 years ago, and a President who respected the sacred ground of tragedy as he sang out with hope, amazing grace, how sweet the sound… Through Jesus, God chose to be born in a time of fear and division. Through Jesus, God takes on flesh in a lowly manager. This is good news for us all! Let us not bury ourselves and close the curtains, but this epiphany season, let us choose to sing it. Let us sing with hope because of Christ, we can expect God’s love, peace, and joy is with us and sees us through tragedy.
Blessings for the journey,
Rev. Keith McDevitt
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