Laughing or crying

Ezra 3:10-13

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel;

and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,

“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”

And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.

Shouts of joy mingled with weeping

Celebrations tinged by mourning

Looking to the promise of the future

Pulled back into grieving the past

Such is life

Populated by those with vision

and those who live in the past

To make space for each other is a gift

The new alongside the old

Each with its place

Each worthy of honour

Held together in love

Prayer

God in all our celebrations, keep us mindful of those who mourn.

In all our joyful anticipation of the future, help us make space for those who long for the past.

May we find wholeness in you who brings all things together.