Just a few days ago, the United States celebrated Memorial Day: a time of remembering and honoring those who have died in the wars of this nation. For many who see the task of faith as making peace, there may be some tension in the celebration of this holiday:  opposing the use of deadly force by nations and individuals, but also an appreciative acknowledgement that many have paid that ultimate price through suffering and death as a gift of service and heroism to the rest of us.

Memorial Day reminds us that we live in a world where there is a great deal of suffering. Jesus chose to live open to the suffering of others. He chose not to avoid the pain that came as a result of living his life with integrity. His own suffering stands in judgment of our lives when we are reluctant to enter the crucible on behalf of the suffering people in our world. What we should do to move forward on the journey of faith in response to such suffering is not a difficult question to answer. It's just a difficult answer to live.

Addressing the structural and systemic causes of a lot of the world's suffering can be as difficult as responding to these needs through food pantries, clothes closets, soup kitchens, home repair, and emergency assistance.  Addressing root causes involves serious transformation. It means significant changes in ourselves and how we relate to others. It also means changes in how we structure our society. As people of faith, we are called to address the root causes of suffering and pain in our lives and also in our world, called to make changes in oppressive structures, policies, attitudes globally, nationally, locally, and personally.

Church is a place of refuge, a place we come for healing of wounds, to meet our need for community, friends, company, and guidance for the journey. But the path forward is not found by focusing on our suffering and getting our needs met. It is found in seeing the needs of others and in giving ourselves to address the suffering of others in ways that are effective, ways that reflect the values of Christ-like love. The path forward for each of us-the path forward for this congregation-is not just in embracing our own suffering and seeking our own healing, but in turning outward to see and address the pain and seek the healing of others in Jesus' name