No matter who we are or where we live, we all experience hardship. But some tragedies are so horrific or inexplicable that they break the hearts of concerned observers across the country—even around the world. At such moments, complete strangers come together to offer sympathy, comfort, and help. The human family unites in a demonstration of compassion and goodness. We want those who suffer to know that even though they don’t know us, we care about them. We want to somehow ease their suffering.
In his many decades as a rabbi, Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People, has met with countless grieving families. When he asks how they are able to cope, they answer almost unanimously, “Community, people suddenly emerging, neighbors, members of their church, total strangers coming up to them to hug them and offer a word of consolation.” This response reminds him that even when a hardship seems inexplicably unfair, “people … need consolation more than they need explanation. Feeling so singled out by fate, they need the reassurance that they are in fact good people and do not deserve what has happened to them.”
“The God I believe in,” Rabbi Kushner continues, “does not send us the problem; He gives us the strength to cope with the problem.”1 And most often, He sends that strength in the form of a caring, compassionate person—someone who can help us rise beyond “Why did this happen?” and instead seek answers to “What do I do now to keep my faith and hope strong?”
Opposition and heartache are a part of life. Good people suffer. But no one should suffer alone. We can be there to offer consolation in the spirit of these comforting words of the Psalm: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.”2
1. (2001), xii, 171. 2. Psalm 121:1–3.
Program #4347
Sin importar quiénes seamos ni dónde vivamos, todos pasamos por dificultades, pero algunas tragedias son tan horribles o inexplicables que quebrantan el corazón de una nación entera y de todo el mundo. En momentos así, personas desconocidas se reúnen para ofrecer condolencias, consuelo y ayuda. La familia humana se une en una demostración de compasión y bondad. Queremos que los que sufren sepan que aunque no nos conocen, nos importan. De alguna manera queremos aliviar su sufrimiento.
En sus muchas décadas como rabino, Harold Kushner, autor del libro Cuando suceden cosas malas a gente buena, se ha reunido con incontables familias que sufren. Cuando les pregunta cómo es que pueden seguir adelante, casi todos contestan: “La comunidad, personas desconocidas, vecinos, miembros de la misma iglesia, se acercan para abrazar y consolar”. Esa reacción le recuerda que aun cuando una dificultad parece inexplicablemente injusta, “la gente… necesita consuelo más que una explicación. Al sentirse el blanco del destino, necesitan sentir que de hecho son gente buena y que no se merecen lo que les ha ocurrido”.
“Mi Dios”, continúa el rabino Kushner, “no nos envía el problema; Él nos da la fortaleza para afrontarlo”; y con frecuencia nos la envía en la forma de una persona amorosa y compasiva que nos ayuda a superarnos por encima del “¿por qué me pasó esto a mí?”, y a buscar la respuesta a la pregunta “¿qué hago ahora para mantenerme firme en la fe y la esperanza?”
La oposición y las penas son parte de la vida. La gente buena sufre, pero no es necesario que sufran solas. Podemos ofrecer consolación con el espíritu de estas reconfortantes palabras del Salmista: “Alzaré mis ojos a los montes”, ¿de dónde vendrá mi socorro? Mi socorro viene de Jehová, que hizo los cielos y la tierra. No dejará que resbale tu pie; no se adormecerá el que te guarda”.
Musical Selection:
1. Sweet Peace
English folk song; arr. Mack Wilberg; Manuscript
2. Children of the Heavenly Father
Swedish melody; arr. Mack Wilberg; Used by Permission
3. “Give,” Said the Little Stream
William B. Bradbury; arr. Ryan Murphy; Arrangement Unpublished
4. Jesus Loves Me (organ solo)
William B. Bradbury; arr. Charles Callahan; Morning Star
5. I Am a Child of God
Mildred T. Petit; arr. Ryan Murphy; Arrangement Unpublished
6. Spoken Word
7. You’ll Never Walk Alone, from Carousel
Richard Rodgers; arr. Arthur Harris; Arrangement Unpublished
Music & the Spoken Word
A program of inspirational music and spoken word.