My Reaction to Friday’s Mass Murders

Over the years, complacency sets in. More things are tolerated and accepted. Too often people forget things don’t all have to be the way they are. Too often, if an unpleasant thing doesn’t directly impact us, we ignore it and forget about it.

This is a time to look at our society and ask what has changed for the worse and what we can do about it. It is a time to reflect. It is our moral obligation to do so.

It was Friday morning in a quiet Connecticut community. God took our nation’s pulse that day. He wanted to know just how complacent we are. He found the soft spot in our hearts as he felt our racing pulse.

I know not one of them, and yet I do. They are the child next door, the teacher down the street, the First Responder who helped us last year. They are the clergy who quietly bear more than we sometimes realize. I ponder this as I reach for another tissue.

It is not for us to wonder why…but we do. It is not for us to judge…but we can’t help ourselves.

It is for us to support the survivors, those grieving, and those who gave their life, their love, their spirit, and compassion on Friday. They, as we, will never be the same. Grown men, tough men, weep and lean on others. Clergy shed tears and embrace those of other faiths. Families struggle with how to help their children cope. Everywhere parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors and teachers hug their little ones as never before.

We can think of little else. Hearts ache as they feel torn open and gaping holes are left in a community and a nation. Those little ones left behind have lost their innocence in such a brutal way. Those who served the survivors now need ministering to themselves.

Countless prayers stream toward the heavens. And…at heaven’s gate, twenty little angels joyously reunite with the school personnel who safely escorted them to their new home. Rest in peace dear little ones. May we make this world a better place so this never has to happen again.

Copyright 2012