Loss Is Indeed Our Gain

The other day I read an excellent poem/prayer by theologian Walter Brueggemann on the season of Lent and I felt compelled to share and reflect on it here: 

“Loss is indeed our gain”
The pushing and the shoving of the world is endless.
We are pushed and shoved.
And we do our fair share of pushing and shoving
in our great anxiety.
And in the middle of that
you have set down your beloved suffering son
who was like a sheep led to slaughter
who opened not his mouth.
We seem not able,
so we ask you to create the spaces in our life
where we may ponder his suffering
and your summons for us to suffer with him,
suspecting that suffering is the only way to come to newness.
So we pray for your church in these Lenten days,
when we are driven to denial-
not to notice the suffering,
not to engage it,
not to acknowledge it.
So be that way of truth among us
that we should not deceive ourselves.
That we shall see that loss is indeed our gain.
We give you thanks for that mystery from which we live.
Amen.

There's so much amazingness in this prayer that I barely even know where to begin, except at the beginning--the title, "Loss Is Indeed Our Gain."  The paradox of this idea seems simple but it's hard to get our minds around completely.  

If we read further into the prayer, we find some clues.   

The cacophony of the world’s pushing and shoving often drives us into corners of anxiety. We contribute to this relentless cycle in our frantic attempts to assert control and protect ourselves.

Yet, amid our struggles, God has planted within us the ultimate hope through God's beloved Son, who, "was like a sheep, led to slaughter and opened not His mouth." This image of unwavering submission and quiet strength beckons us into a space of reflection and connection to the suffering of Christ.

Through prayer and self-denial, we are called to acknowledge the suffering around us, engage in the world's pain, and suffer alongside those who bear burdens. 

As Brueggemann eloquently states, we should aim to create spaces in our lives to ponder Christ's suffering and our call to suffer with Him. In this way, we may find that suffering leads us to newness of life.

Our reflection during these days resonates with the call of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, where he reminds us that God comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in any trouble. 

This relationship of giving and receiving mirrors what it means to truly be the Church—to embody Christ’s love and compassion in our actions and interactions with others.

As we navigate this season of Lent, let's not be driven to denial, turning a blind eye to the injustices and hardships many face. Instead, let us be seekers of truth within ourselves and our communities. 

Loss is our gain when it leads to deeper connections with those who suffer, prompts us to reach out and uplift the marginalized, and inspires us to stand firm in our faith amidst trials.

In this sacred season, I encourage you not just to attend church services but to truly be the Church within the world. 

Look beyond the walls of your church and engage in acts of service, compassion, and justice. Let us honor the mystery of our faith, where loss is transformative, and allow our collective journey through Lent to be a testament to the hope and renewal found in Jesus Christ. 

May our actions reflect the heart of the Kingdom of God here on earth, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of love, grace, and community.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.