Loading...I can’t breathe.In my case, it was because of terrible coughing fits brought on by a completely unexpected case of ... pertussis. Who gets whooping cough anymore? This gal.
I can’t breathe.Those who are infected with the coronavirus – 6.6 million people around the world – feel like they cannot breathe. They cannot get enough oxygen in their lungs and into their systems. “It’s like an anvil on my chest.”
I can’t breathe.Eric Garner and George Floyd both said this as their life’s breath was being forced out and not allowed back in because of asphyxiation at the hands – or more appropriately – the knees of a couple of police officers.
I can’t breathe.
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In the beginning, when God began to create the world, God breathed over the waters.God spoke and the waters were separated from one another.God spoke and the sun and moon and stars appeared to give light (and the concept of time and seasons).God spoke and the lands appeared.God spoke and the trees and grasses and flowers and fruits and vegetables grew.God spoke and the fish of the seas, birds of the air, and even the great sea monsters were created.God spoke and the cattle, livestock, dogs, cats, and other critters started mooing, barking, and meowing – as their voice gave them ability.God spoke and the people were created in God’s very image and given the breath of life.
And it was good. It was all very, very good.
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“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God...”
The Spirit of God – the ruach of God – the breath of God, God’s very self breathed all created into being.The life breath of God continues to create the world -- all that is in it and all people everywhere.
So, to hear even one person say “I can’t breathe” grieves God. And God weeps.
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The Creation story reminds me of the vision that Ezekiel has of the Valley of Dry Bones. In the vision, God takes Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones Arid. Sere. Withered. Dessicated. And then asks Ezekiel, “So, can these bones live?” “O Lord, you know.”At that point, I imagine God thinking, “you bet your bippy, I know!”But, instead God says, “Prophesy. Tell these bones to come together and stand again!”
Ezekiel speaks that word and the bones come together: bone to bone. and sinews grow and muscles form and skin coversAnd, these re-formed bodies stand.
But something is wrong. They just stand there. There is no life.
God says, “Prophesy. Prophesy to the breath to enter these bones and live.”Ezekiel speaks that word and the breath of God – the ruach of God – the Spirit of God enters the re-formed bodies and they live!God’s very self breathed these lifeless and hopeless people back into life and joy.
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I can’t breathe.
When we hear that cry, what do we hear?
When we hear that cry, what do we do?
When we hear that cry, we hear the cry of God’s people – God’s beloved, good, precious people.And, we reach out in compassion. We prophesy. We act. We pray. We learn. We speak up. We use our breath, our God given breath, to bring justice, health, and goodness.
But, we aren’t alone. We are community together. We are in relationship with one another in so many ways – here at St. David’s in our work, school, or volunteer places in our neighborhoods and city with strangers who become friends through our work together.
We are not alone, because God’s creative way of being is still creating. God’s loving way of being is still loving. God’s empowering way of being is still giving you breath.
God calls us out with God’s own breath to listen for the cries of “I can’t breathe” and to step in and love.God calls to us with God’s own breath today and everyday to give us the breath, and Spirit, and ruach of life.
Amen
