2010 Orchid Show

Somewhere, some time ago, in a conversation to a colleague and friend, Walter Brueggeman suggested that we human beings are too often enraged with one another and then run to God for consolation, when we should, instead, be enraged at God and go to each other for comfort. Hearing this second-hand, third-hand even, I believe there is great wisdom in his suggestion. Why can't we be like the prophets of old, raging and railing against God, asking, nay demanding God for mercy, justice, grace. There is nothing wrong with that expression of indignation and hope, that bargaining anger which God had so often seen, experienced, and eventually heard then responded to (or not)? And why shouldn't we turn to one another for comfort? In each other's company and companionship, we would at least find tangible, concrete, and immediate consolation -- and perhaps that might appease our anger enough to realize that God had placed us here for each other's comfort.