Elijah’s cry from beneath a broom tree resonates today

The Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim delivers a thoughtful homily for PC(USA) national staff

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim is Associate for Theology in the Office of Worship & Theology. (Contributed photo)

LOUISVILLE — With a selected preaching text of 1 Kings 19:4-8, the account of Elijah asking God for death and God instead providing an angel to minister to the prophet for the long journey ahead, the Rev. So Jung Kim delivered a homily during Wednesday’s Chapel Service for the PC(USA)’s national staff filled with encouragement to care for one another in similar ways.

“Elijah found himself in fight-or-flight mode, facing life-threatening danger and immense pressure” following his dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal, noted Kim, Associate for Theology in the PC(USA)’s Office of Theology & Worship. “I want to invite us to consider how we respond when we face such situations perceived as life-threatening.”

Kim said she recently learned about adding “freeze” to the “fight or flight” options. “Sometimes I fight, other times I flee, and often I freeze, at least for a few seconds, before deciding” on fight or flight, she said. “This helps me understand Elijah’s choice to flee.” The prophet “hides out alone, exhausted and overwhelmed,” Kim noted. This biblical account can help us to consider and minister to others in dangerous situations, including Israel/Palestine, Ukraine, “my homeland Korea 75 years ago,” as well as “many other places where lives are at risk,” as well as people struggling with illness, coping with a job loss, grieving the loss of loved ones and living in extreme poverty.

“The list goes on,” Kim said. “We can empathize with their heartfelt cries of, ‘It is enough. Take away my life, for I am not better than my ancestors.’”

Did Elijah really mean it when he asked God for that outcome? That question brought mental health to mind for Kim, “the overwhelming weight of such fearful and painful situations. Deep down, most of us don’t want to die. What we truly want is for the pain and fear to stop … so we can live, survive and thrive.” It’s akin to a vulnerable child telling a parent, “It’s not fair. You don’t love me,” when they don’t really mean it, Kim said. “They just want their pain and fear to be acknowledged and alleviated.”

“Similarly, Elijah’s cry was a raw and vulnerable prayer — not a wish for death, but a plea for relief from pain and a life free from fear,” Kim said. “God understood Elijah’s true intent, and instead of scolding him, God sent an angel to provide food and drink for the long journey ahead. God recognized the pain and fear behind Elijah’s words.”

“Even when we say things out of trauma, fear and anger, God knows our exhaustion and pain, and responds with compassion and care,” she said.

Five years ago, Kim interviewed for her present position in the Office of Theology & Worship, which put on Wednesday’s half-hour worship service. When the interview was complete, “I was asked to close with prayer, and I ended up praying in a childish manner,” she said. “I thought I did a terrible job, but maybe God encouraged my colleagues to see my true intent with my kiddish prayer.”

“We’ve been through so much together since then,” Kim said. “We’ve had moments of freezing, fleeing and fighting, but overall, we have cared for each other deeply. I hope and pray you also feel this sense of care and support among your colleagues.”

“May you have the help of your colleagues in the form of angels,” she said, “and may we be the angels who show up for our colleagues, today and every day. Thanks be to God. Amen.”