April 9, 2018 - - I Corinthians 12:7, 26 Suffering and hope

To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

If one member suffers all suffer together;

if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.

I Corinthians 12:7, 26 ESV

We live in a world of suffering. The daily news reminds us of this all the time. However, there are times when tragedies touch us, as Canadians, so much closer to home. This past weekend Canadians stood still with grief and bewilderment at the news from Humboldt, SK. The crash of the Humboldt Broncos team bus took the lives of ten players and five others associated with the team.

Years ago in a speech, Ravi Zacharias noted "We live in a world of suffering. We are called to brotherhood. The problem is that we have more hoods than brothers."

Grief strips away all our defenses. We realize exactly what the Scriptures state: if one member suffers all suffer together. While many of us run from grief--frightened by its implications--there are men and women uniquely gifted to who run to those who are suffering. These men and women exemplify the brotherhood that is ours.

Think of first responders rushing to the scene.

Firemen, police officers, paramedics, and behind the scenes workers like communications centre operators who are relaying this dreadful information to the key people who needed accurate information to get to the scene and coordinate services.

Think of the next line of gifted people given gifts for the common good: doctors, emergency room nurses, X-ray technicians, chaplains and surgeons.

Then the longer term caregivers: those who minister to the hockey players who survived, like physiotherapists. Those who offer spiritual care for all the first responders--men and women who saw things which can haunt the heart and affect the brain. Pastors and social service workers who, in the longer term, will care for the players and families and community.

As the President of the Canadian Police Chaplain Association--I write knowing there are members of our team who are on the ground helping--I urge you to pray. Pray for the team members, coaches and all associated with the Broncos. Pray for the family members and their friends. Pray for the first responders and the chaplains who are standing with those in depths of bewilderment and grief. Pray, thanking God, that when disaster and tragedy do come, God has equipped men and women to respond by helping to shoulder burdens. Chaplains offer a stable, loving, knowledgeable presence for a time such as this. Chaplains remind us that we are brothers and sisters--part of the human family.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your Name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the power

and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.