Inscribed on the palm of my hands

From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

Inscribed on the palm of my hands: 27 February 2011: am: The Very Revd Frank Nelson

• Psalm 131
• Isaiah 49: 8 - 16
• 1 Corinthians 4: 1 - 5
• Matthew 6: 24 - 34

Not for the first time in my life I have been astounded at the way in which Bible readings, chosen months, perhaps years, ago speak so appropriately into a particular situation. But then, God is like that. The right things seem to pop up at the right time.

At a time when the whole country is reeling after Tuesday’s earthquake; when, without doubt, everyone here knows someone in Christchurch who needs a comforting hug and embrace of love; could there have been a better image in the psalms than that offered by Psalm 131? “I have stilled and made quiet my soul, like a weaned child nestling to its mother, so like a child, my soul is quieted within me.” (Ps 131:3)

And when life itself has become so precious, when people who have lost home and clothing, furniture and garden, cathedral and city, but survived with their lives are saying: it’s just bricks, it’s only clothing or furniture, but I am alive. At that point we read in Matthew’s Gospel, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6: 25b)

Among the many powerful and moving statements to be made by people in these past few days, and we continue to witness intense courage and deep wisdom by some extremely stressed people, is one by Dean Peter Beck. I don’t know the context but was sent this sentence in an email. “This is not an act of God; this is the Earth, doing what it does. The act of God is how we love each other, how we reach out to one another.” Thank you, Peter. In the midst of your own grief, anxiety, confusion, loss and worry, you are able to cut through any sense of blame and focus our attention where it needs to be – on the hurting, the lonely, the bereaved, the frightened, the hungry, the homeless, the thirsty. It’s beginning to sound like one of those famous passages from Isaiah Jesus was so fond of quoting.

And we have seen it in action again and again. The stories are there of people helping each other; the doctors who happened to be having a conference in Christchurch; the student army of sweepers and lifters; those amazing people who risk their lives to probe for survivors; the mayor, the bishop, the dean, the leaders of teams and those who follow.

As so often happens, Christians turn to the writings of Isaiah and find words to make their own. In a passage most likely written in a context of bewilderment and pain, after all that the people of Jerusalem had held dear was no more, Isaiah offers words from the Lord. When their beloved city was destroyed, not by earthquake but by marauding Babylonian armies, he offers the words read today: “In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out’, to those in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’” (Is 49: 8 & 9)

And, at a time when it would be easy to ask “Why? What have we done to deserve this?” the Lord invites the heavens and the earth to exult, to break forth into singing, for “the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering.” It’s not enough though is it? It’s not enough just to read scripture and say prayers and light candles. Like the people of Zion so long ago, it is tempting for us to join them in saying, “The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.” How easy to blame God, to talk about an act of God.

But look again and listen carefully to the words of reply. “Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will never forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands.” (Is 49: 14 – 16a)

Did Dean Peter already have these words in his mind before the earthquake struck? Had he, like others, already looked at today’s Lectionary readings and started to think about his sermon for this today? “This is not an act of God; this is the Earth, doing what it does. The Act of God is how we love each other, how we reach out to one another.”

I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands. The Act of God is how we love each other, how we reach out to one another.

If ever there was a sign of hope in a devastated city, it is the way people are being God’s hands to their neighbours, to strangers, to those in need.

I am reminded of a little prayer prayed by St Theresa of Avila: "God has no hands but our hands to do his work today; God has no feet but our feet to lead others in his way; God has no voice but our voice to tell others how he died; and, God has no help but our help to lead them to his side."

I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands. The Act of God is how we love each other, how we reach out to one another.