It’s probably safe to say that American Idol alum and Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson is experiencing what will be the most horrific week of her very talented life. On Friday she received word that her mother and older brother were found shot dead inside her childhood home. This was coupled with the news that her seven-year-old nephew was missing. Unfortunately, any hopes of a silver-lining to this tragedy were extinguished on Monday when the body of the boy was discovered inside of her slain brother’s stolen SUV.
There are reports that numerous neighbors and well-wishers have flocked to the Hudson’s South Side Chicago residence to participate in impromptu vigils and extend prayers. Some in the crowd joined a chorus singing Hudson’s recently released song Spotlight, which laments being trapped under the oppressive gaze of an overprotective lover—a tragic irony since it is believed domestic violence precipitated these murders. And others joined hands participating in both personal and corporate prayer. In the words of one local pastor who showed up at the house, “To hear of this tragedy, the only thing I could do was come by and pray.”
I emphasize this latter point for a specific reason. It is indeed en vogue to mock religious faith in certain sectors of our society. Comedian Bill Maher’s current film Religulous (Religion + Ridiculous) and Christopher Hitchen’s 2007 book God is Not Great are just two recent examples. Both promote the specious claims that religion and sacred rituals only lead to anti-intellectualism, violence and bigotry. And while there is evidence to corroborate such claims, this is indeed only half the story.
Religious faith helps persons to find certainty in an uncertain world and a semblance of peace even in the face of the great mystery. No amount of confidence in science, the rational mind or human capacity can overcome or account for the existential angst of life. Whether it’s anxiety driven by the paradox of human freedom and finitude, or questions concerning the origins and proper response to evil and suffering in the world. There comes a time in life where we all must wrestle with the unfathomable realities and unconscionable acts. And amidst such trials and travails it may just be that persons have nothing more than a familiar song or a humble prayer to bind them to one another as well as to a reality greater than themselves. Fortunately, there is proof-positive evidence that in the lives of many believers, such a song and prayer was just enough to make it through the day.
So, why do we sing? For some, like the remaining members of the Hudson family, it is because there is no other choice. To sing and to pray is to live!
