Thinking about Nice this Morning After

Nice, France | Source: wikipedia

So, this is Nice, France [pronounced like "niece" for English speakers.].

One of the most beautiful places in the world. Also, one of the places in which one human being succumbed to the bestial nature to destroy many of its own species.  I  am again amazed at the direct import of this week's lectionary passages to our place and time:  

Psalm 52

1 Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly?
All day long
2 you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.
3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah

4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.
Selah

6 The righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer, saying,
7 “See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches, and sought refuge in wealth!”
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever, because of what you have done. In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good. (NRSV) 

This is a time to mourn and grieve the loss of life, the horror (and misplaced guilt) of the survivors, and the callousness of the ones that celebrate this kind of terror.

We will be tempted as followers of God to offer empty words and vain prayers. We might be tempted to shout curses and do vindictive acts for retribution. Remember: We have nothing to offer but mercy.

Let this psalm speak for you if you cannot find the words to pray. Take Verse 8 to heart. An olive tree, twisted and gnarled by time, but still producing a soothing balm to generations in the household of God (re: all creation). This is our moment. Steadfast love = mercy = hesed in Hebrew.

​We are created for a purpose and this is it -- this is our moment of mercy.