Spencer LaJoye's Intercessions for Suffering and Longing
A Plowshare Prayer by Spencer LaJoye is a vulnerable audio divina opportunity for times of suffering
What do we do with all the heartache in the world? How to we hold the suffering of our lives and the lives of others in a way that honors the diversity of experience and the gut wrenching need for the comforting presence of a Grounding of Being? These are questions that I have turned over and over in my heart and head. War, flooding, poverty and injustice, mass incarceration and sexual abuse, neglect and spiritual wounds, atrocities, and addiction. These are burdens too heavy to bear alone. When we are able to connect to A Deeper Reality, the Web of Being, God, and each other the pain doesn't go away but it does change. My mom recently shared a little bit of folk wisdom - "Suffering is like manure, when it sits alone it's just a pile of stinky shit, but spread it around and it becomes fertilizer for growth." I've rephrased a little but the message is the same.
Lamentation
Prayers of Lamentation are one way to join our suffering with the pain of the universe. A cry of grief and sorrow for the purpose of expression and ultimately some healing. Some of us grew up in cultures and religious traditions that discouraged passionate expressions of our pain - perhaps out of discomfort with the inflictive emotions or maybe believing in some form of a prosperity gospel and the idea that if we're joined with a spiritual truth that suffering will no longer exist and there will be no despair. Whatever the reasoning, the result is damaging.
Christianity is my religious background and the Bible has dozens if not hundreds of examples of sacred grief. Jesus himself in the Garden of Gesthemane is the most familiar. "God if it is your will take this cup from me." The same Jesus, learning his friend Lazarus had died and was in a state of "stinking" didn't react with platitudes - saying, "Oh, I got this." No, "Jesus Wept."
Practice Sitting in Suffering
There is pain in this life and grieving with ourselves, our communities, the world and the Divine is an essential path towards growth. Tears are Holy Water. By practicing lamentation and sitting with the suffering of ourselves and others we learn the priceless skill of empathy. We learn to feel ourselves and to have greater understanding for the suffering of others. There are invitations in suffering; they may come as anger (another holy emotion and energy for transformation) or repentance (a desire to change our minds). It doesn't take long to look at the news and our communities to see that a desire for change and fuel for that transformation is needed.
May Your Suffering be Honored
Lamentation and Longing are crucial for healing, wholeness and positive changing in ourselves and the world. It's my prayer that this song welcomes you into this sacred space of grief. If you find yourself in a place of despair, please reach out to another trusted friend, spiritual mentor, counselor or to me even.
What has your experience been with Lamentation, Grief and healing? I would love to share in the comments or an email.
If feelings of despair have worsened and you are feeling suicidal or desires for self harm please dial 988 to reach the emergency line for mental health and suicide prevention.
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