I realize as I look at my hands clasped in prayer there are not enough fingers intertwined to count the eleven deaths from the senseless violent act that occured on April 26th at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu festival. How many fingers currently texting loved ones, clutching flowers, carrying candles would be able to number the victims of this tragedy considering the injured, the traumatized witnesses and the grieved by association?
And yet, even as sorrow spreads like ripples on a pond, so follows a movement of grace. In the wake of devastation, we see something divine stirring — the resilient spirit of a community and camaraderie of strangers united in shared sorrow and generous compassion.
“Kapwa” is a Tagalog word translated as neighbour but its meaning is more of a shared self in community, seeing ourselves in one another. This understanding of togetherness compliments the familial language of Scripture – the way God addresses all of humanity as His children. It is these bonds awakened in crisis that enable us to share strength and support as we face unbearable grief.
We may not have enough fingers to count the sorrow — but let us employ them in prayer, and extend them in acts of service for healing. Because God’s promise to be near to the brokenhearted is often fulfilled through us.
I cannot calculate how many hearts are broken today but there is One who knows and keeps record of every tear that falls (Psalm 56:8). The numbers may be beyond our grasp, but not beyond God’s reach. He sees. He cares. And He restores.