Madness - Monday Musing, March 21, 2022

Monday Musing, March 21, 2022

Dear Church,

Madness. A state of frenzied or chaotic activity. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, also known and branded as NCAA March Madness, is a single-elimination tournament played each spring. Currently, there are 68 college basketball teams from the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that determine the national championship. The tournament was created in 1939 and is played mostly during the month of March. It has become one of the biggest annual sporting events in the United States. The diehard basketball fan wouldn’t miss it.

Our television screens are carrying images of March Madness tournament games while at the same time showing gut-wrenching images of the war in Ukraine. It is shear madness – extremely foolish behavior – what the Russians have done. How is it possible for us to be celebrating sporting achievements while at the same time be on the verge of tears for the people of Ukraine? From the comfort of our sofas, we simply do not know what to do. What can we do? The war is so far away, yet the images come into our living rooms. It is maddening.

The world watches helplessly from the sidelines while Ukraine laments. Several Psalms are communal laments, expressing deep sorrow for the travails of a nation, asking for God’s blessing or intervention. Psalm 44:23-24: “Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?” Psalm 60:1-2: “O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; now restore us! You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.” Psalm 80:4-5: “O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.”

The world laments the madness in Ukraine. Let us join our voices together:

Prayer for Ukraine

by Elisa Wilson

We pray for the people of Ukraine,

for those who have fled their homes,

and for those who have remained behind.

We pray that you will shield them and keep them safe.

We pray not only for their physical safety,

but for their peace and continued faith.

We pray that you will comfort them,

to uplift and preserve their spirits.

We pray for the continued kindness,

of those who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees.

We pray that you will fill their hearts with compassion,

and love for their neighbors.

We pray for the world’s leaders,

that you will guide them towards peace,

that they will exercise wisdom during conflict,

and that the interests and peace of their people

will guide both their hearts and their actions.

Amen.

May our maddening lament be added to the world’s chorus of prayers. May God hear the people crying from their hearts, pleading to help the people of Ukraine. See you in church!

Faithfully,

Darren