Sermon : On Connecting the Violence of Nature and Man

I love those articles that we see everywhere, telling us what psychologists have to say about earthquakes and human reaction:

“Well, first, people are completely shocked. Then they take stock.”

Gee, guys, thank you .

I’ve seen the post-earthquake reactions of geologists, politicians, psychologists and, of course, all those “everymen” they keep quoting--but I have not seen one question addressed publicly to a priest, rabbi, minister or other spirituoso.

Now this is very interesting, considering the fact that on January 17 at 4:31 a.m. and in the minutes following, more Los Angeles residents called on God, I dare say, than called any politician, psychologist or geologist.

Once the violent shaking stopped, of course, we all went back to pretending en masse that God had nothing to do with this.

Which, in a way, I don’t believe He did. But I think there’s a very good reason why we called on Him when it happened. We called on Him for help, and I would suggest we stay on the line.

Will we remain in our spiritual stupor now, or be willing to awaken from our penchant for mass denial? Will we continue to see no connection between the violence in our minds and the violence beginning to cascade around us? How many riots, fires and earthquakes will it take before we start looking for some inner clues? Los Angeles is being challenged now to find our depth, to grow into wisdom. Let’s search for some deeper meaning here. In the words of author Elie Wiesel, “To live through dramatic events is not enough; one has to share them and transform them into acts of conscience.”

God help us if everything that goes around, comes around: Violence, after all, is our primary cultural export.

This earthquake emanated from a point miles beneath the surface. So do all of our problems emanate from beneath the surface of things, and no windows of hope will open for this or any other city in trouble until we start addressing what’s happening deep inside each of us.

Deep inside, we are very sad to be living in a world so disconnected from our souls. I see very little soul on TV. I see very little soul in the news. I see very little soul in American popular culture.

But there are places where it does burst forth: in transcendent movies, and music, and sincerely said prayers. Those who hold the banner of spiritual truth--and every artist, philosopher and lover does--are holding out hope that Los Angeles can heal itself. With every prayer, we heal. With every act of beauty, we heal. With every act of love, we heal.

Everything else is nonsense. If we remember this, there’s hope.