Lamentations

When terrible natural disasters such as the Asian Tsunami and the fierce winds and storm surge of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan internationally) happen, the inevitable question arises: “Where was God?” Federico G. Villanueva takes us through an engaged reading of the poetry of the book of Lamentations against the specific context of Typhoon Yolanda’s devastation and anguished “Why” question. Villanueva’s sensitive interpretation succeeds in demonstrating that to read Lamentations “in a detached, objective, uninvolved manner is to be like the ‘friends’ and ‘lovers’ of Lady Zion who showed her no comfort when she most needed it.”

Helen R. Graham, MM, PhD
Institute of Formation and Religious Studies,
and Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila, Philippines

This simply written study on lament, though scholarly, is deeply devotional and warmly applied to the inexplicably tragic destruction of lives and property particularly wrought by the world’s worst typhoon, Haiyan (Yolanda), that swept the central section of the Philippines. As brought out in the book, God’s dealings can be puzzlingly mysterious – but “his compassions never fail.”

Rodrigo Tano, PhD
First Area Dean, AGST–Philippines
Senior Professor, Alliance Graduate School

Upon seeing all the devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda, our five-year-old daughter asked a theological question which we were not able to answer: “Why did God allow the storm to happen?” This commentary on the book of Lamentations affirmed the validity of our very human grief in the midst of losses, but at the same time, it pointed out biblical resources to draw upon to strengthen us in our journey of faith. I find it a very rich reflection to help us deepen our Christian faith in our own Asian context.

Charlie E. Labarda, MD
Survivor of Typhoon Yolanda
Founding Chair, BUHAT Tacloban

1. Commentary
1. Series Preface
2. Author’s Preface
3. Acknowledgments
4. List of Abbreviations
5. Introduction
6. Lamentations 1
7. Lamentations 2
8. Lamentations 3
9. Lamentations 4
10. Lamentations 5
11. Bibliography
2. Topics
1. Lament as a Pouring Out of Grievance to God
2. The Imprecatory Prayer as Pagsusumbong sa Diyos
3. Communal Lament and the Asian Context