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Good morning. I think nearly everyone listening today is very aware of missing someone from their lives - grieving for someone who, for whatever reason, is no longer there.
Today is International Day of the Disappeared. It recognises the hundreds of thousands of people that have vanished during conflicts or times of repression in at least 85 countries around the world. The families and friends of the victims, experience slow mental anguish, not knowing whether their loved one is still alive and, if so, where he or she is being held, under what conditions, and in what state of health. We can think of the ‘disappeared’ in current war zones. But many in other countries have disappeared because of their religious or political beliefs or for speaking up for others who have been denied justice. Those are known as enforced disappearances.
But not all disappearances are enforced. Many appear to be voluntary. I read that in the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds. Some will reappear, many won’t. For each family the story is often framed with phrases like ‘living nightmare’, ‘dreadful agony’ and ‘painful loss’. Living without answers and coping with uncertainty takes its toll over time. There is a sense of helplessness and a grief that is unresolved. The Psalmist writes: Morning, noon and night I cry out in my distress and the Lord hears my voice.
God of comfort, protect and sustain all those who have been disappeared. Release those who are unjustly imprisoned. Give hope and peace to families and victims. Comfort those who bear the pain of someone who is missing. In your mercy, hear their cry of distress and give them peace. Amen.