THERE GO THOSE CRITTERS AGAIN

By John Santosuosso

      We are now in the liturgical season of Lent. Ash Wednesday has come and gone. If it was a typical Ash Wednesday then Joel's locusts showed up and devoured everything in sight before moving on. (Joel 1:1-7) In case you missed them, their story is the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) reading for our Ash Wednesday liturgy. Some scholars believe Joel is describing an invading army. However, I think the prevailing opinion is he depicts an invasion of hungry locusts. Neither view provides much comfort, to say the least, and maybe we are just as glad to turn to other things and give thanks that Joel does not show up in our liturgy very often.

      The locusts that invade Judah are said to be the result of the nation forgetting the commandments of God and becoming a bunch of drunkards or worse. Judah has really brought this upon itself. Still, whenever I hear this prophecy I keep asking myself could the entire nation be guilty. Surely there must have been some who were attempting to lead a responsible life. Why did these have to suffer along with the guilty? I get the same reaction whenever I hear the Noah story. Would God have to drown the innocent along with the sinful?

      I must admit I have no satisfactory answer to the above question. It takes us back to the puzzle of "why do bad things happen to good people." While I have no answer, the puzzle does lead me in a direction I increasingly feel enables us to live with this dilemma. It is not a perfect solution, but maybe it is one of the lessons Lent is able to offer us. 

      There are some great saints of God who lived and are living lives of solitude. I am thankful for them and the prayers and wisdom they have bestowed upon us. On the other hand, I do not feel that this is the life most of us would choose to live or are even capable of living. Barbra Streisand sang, "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." There is truth in those words. I think our congregation, and many others, are proof of that. Laundry Love and our grants for those who had losses from natural disasters are just two ways in which we say the locusts will not win. There are numerous others, some well-known with considerable publicity, others quietly, effectively contributing to rescue and healing. 

      If you have been the member of any church or charitable organization very long you know they are not perfect. I still shudder when I recall two members of one congregation (Not Episcopalian!) arguing for an hour over who got to wear the Santa Claus suit at the annual Christmas party! Fortunately this kind of behavior is the exception, not the norm. We are family, and family supports family while reaching out to those who are not family.

      We cannot let the locusts devour all the good we have accomplished. Never forget that even if you think your contribution to building God's Kingdom is not that big, in the sight of our Lord it most definitely is. In standing together to support each other we say "NO" to the forces that would destroy. Never hesitate to receive a ministry if you need it or give one if you can. For when we do the Lord's work, the Lord is on our side.