The Earth Shook

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’ Matthew 27:45-54

Everyone has days when the earth shakes, when everything around us is in chaos, and we are falling and have lost our compass. I have been through several earthquakes and hurricanes, storms and tremors that throw everything around. An old song reminds us that "mama said there would be days like this." Some seasons can be overwhelming for us. We hear today of the day Jesus died and how the earth shook, rocks were split and tombs opened up. The world is a rough and fragile place and we are fragile people. Yet even on our worst days, we can know that Jesus suffered as we do and is with us even when our lives are thrown into chaos.

Loving Creator, you formed this world

you handcrafted the woods and the waters

you formed us within our mothers' safety

and have known all the troubles we face.

Too often when the storms and tremors hit

we blame you who loves us more than we know

we yell like frightened and angry children

taking aim at those who are suffering too.

Help us to cling to your love in our storms

make us faithful in the darkest nights

bring us new hearts, new minds and hands

that we might care for those who feel alone. Amen.