Pastor's Corner

There is a small group of Inupiaq people that live on a tiny island just south of the Artic Circle. They have been there for thousands of years – since memory began. They were there before the sea around them was named the Chukchi. They were there before the Russian sailor, Kotzebue, “discovered” the inlet behind that island and “named” both the inlet and the island that guarded it from the sea after one of his crewman, Shishmarev.

Throughout those years they have endured the cycles of life; the freezing and thawing; the light and the darkness; the migration of seal and fish and bird – first north, then south; the gift of life and the pains of death.

There is now, among those wonderful people, a tradition of sorts, that happens whenever someone dies. The community gathers at the family’s home and sings. They sing together for countless hours. No one cares about tune or pitch or key. But they do sing.

This tradition reflects a truth that we all know – that there is something about song that can break down barriers, that lightens the darkness, and brings people together and offers hope.

Martin Luther recognized this gift which music brings. He once wrote, “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”

Music and song, have a way of communicating more than words can alone. It touches us deep down. The music shines a light on all the dark places around us and between us.

This is what the people of Shishmaref, AK do as they gather to mourn a loved one’s death – they sing together and by doing so in some small, but significant way, begin to shine light on the darkness that surrounds them and separates them.

This time of year, we are thankful for the light that comes with long, warm summer days. But even now we are all too aware of the darkness around us. It is on the news, in the papers. It is knowing too many family members or friends struggling with illness and disease and hardship.

And we wonder along with the psalmist who wrote Psalm 13, “How long?” How long will you hide your face, God? How long will this sorrow, this pain last?

But there, hidden in the lament, in the Psalm, is the gift. Each Psalm, whether one of thanksgiving or one of praise, or one of lament is also a song. The Hebrew people, like the people of Shishmaref—and like us—knew that song breaks down barriers, brings people together and shines light into darkness…even songs of lament and sorrow and question, like Psalm 13.

So the lament of Psalm 13 is also the gift, “one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us,” as Luther said. By joining in this song, even in the face of such darkness, we begin to shine light on all the dark places between us. Then we can “sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:6).

Pastor Phil Misner

Peace Lutheran Church, Colfax

Trinity Lutheran Church, Endicott