Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow. (Lamentations 1:12)

Lamentations is a long acrostic poem written to explain the destruction of the First Temple in 586BC. It describes the desolation of Judah and its people following conquest by Nebuchadnezzar.

Lamentations is derived from the Greek title given the book. The original Hebrew is איכה (eikha) or How? or How is it Possible?

The question is common to the so-called first stage of grief. Often our initial reaction to tragedy is denial. This - whatever it might be - cannot be happening. How could it happen? Impossible!

In many churches the lessons assigned for this second Sunday in Advent are full of warnings. Paul tells the Thessalonians, "those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus... will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord."

How does it happen? We choose the wrong way. We choose to separate ourselves from the presence. But the gospel also tells us we need only turn around. Jesus is waiting and already loves us.

You may hear Behold and See performed by the Academy of St. Martin's in the Fields (immediately following Thy Rebuke).