April 29, 2021

“I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.” (Psalm 31:12)

Thinking today about how broken we all are – including Yours Truly. I wish I had a good synonym for “broken”, because the phrase is now hackneyed. But, if you can get past the familiarity of the term, it still conveys the essential meaning. Something that is broken doesn’t work like it is designed to work. Someone who is broken doesn’t act as he or she is designed to act. We reap the sorry consequences of our collective brokenness every day.

This is the great unifying insight of Christianity, which, ideally, leads to compassion for others. And the beginning of the great hope of Christianity! Great swaths of time and energy are spent in pretending we are not broken – either to others or to ourselves. Jesus invites you to see the playacting for what it is – silly and unhelpful. 

His healing only begins in the unvarnished recognition of your brokenness.

“O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (For Quiet Confidence – BCP p. 832)