The word lament can be used as a verb (to express sorrow, mourning, or regret) or a noun (wailing, crying out in grief).
In 2020, we are again in a time of public mourning where we find ourselves navigating new identities and new ways of being. The coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis has forced us to reconcile many things that we thought were stationary: borders, jobs, symptoms of illness, essential employees, access to medical supplies, and resources for help and comfort.
Physical and social distancing takes a toll on our bodies, minds, and spirits. The Biblical tradition of Lament does not jump to easy answers but rather lets us sit deeply in the shock and awe of upheaval. It is a necessary part of the collective grief process.
This message is an excerpt from a Litany for lament by Kristen Glass Perez in the April issue of Café.
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