News of reprehensible things still shocks and unsettles most of us, as it should.
I worry, though, that we are careening toward a national normlessness and undergoing a public desensitization which will result in our merely noting, not decrying and crying over, awful things.
It’s right for us to be sickened and saddened a domestic terrorist mailed at least thirteen pipe bombs to a public figures who have been critical of Mr. Trump; that a gunman opened fire on people gathered for worship at the Tree of Life Synagogue in a Pittsburgh neighborhood; and that a white gunman, motivated by racism, brutally murdered two African-American shoppers in a Jeffersontown, KY grocery store.
These egregious events reveal how maddeningly capable human beings are of failing to respect others’ God-given dignity, and they also strike at fundamental American rights and freedoms.
We grieve and lament: people precious to God, made in God’s image, and beloved by God were targets of terror and victims of murder. What happened to them is tragic and heartbreaking.
Lord, how long? Lord, have mercy.
And, here is something harder for me to acknowledge: the domestic terrorists—this time, white middle-aged men—are also precious to God, made in God’s image, and beloved by God. What combination of factors made it possible for them do what they did? Primal fear? Toxic shame? Psychic wounds? Propagandized hate? Poisonous rage? Addiction? Inexplicable evil?
Lord, have mercy.
We should be troubled by expressions of discrimination and certainly by violent ones. It’s also crucial to remember that, while physical violence rightly claims so much of our attention, violence uses other weapons: verbal and emotional abuse, strategic and calloused silence, and systemic and institutional prejudice.
Lord, have mercy.
Worshipers should be able to gather without fear of violence in their churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and meeting houses; and, in my view, it is craven surrender to a way of life we do not want and a forfeiture of the peace for which our religions pray and work, to say that the answer is for congregations to arm themselves for battle or to pay guards to do violence in their names.
Lord, have mercy.
Any time we tolerate, wink-at, overlook, give tacit approval to, or minimize attempts to squash dissent, debate, disagreement, protest, voting, and a free press, we are participating in the denigration of liberty and contributing to the failure of the most worthy dimensions of the U.S.-American project.
There are times when we who follow Jesus, like other people of conscience, must raise our voices in prophetic protest against the flaws and wrongs of our nation. The United States, like all things human, falls short of its own promise and certainly “sins and falls short of the glory of God.”
We are living in such a time.
Lord, have mercy.
Thank you for your words. They are truth. We need to hear and respond to truth.
Blessings and Peace.
Pastor Sayles, Thank You so much for your Wonderful Posts! Delores and I continue to Pray for you daily!
Thank you, Bud. My best to you and Delores.
Thank you, Lynnette, so much.
I am growing numb to all this killing and yet I know I must do my part………..don’t know what that is but my former social worker self keeps prodding me to do my part. As an old lady, I’m tired of fighting, God give me strength to do my part and remain faithful to the gospel of Love Peace & Hope. Thx so much Guy!
Caroline, I know that, simply by continuing to love, that you’re doing you’re part. Best to you, Guy.
Lord, have mercy o n us all …
Thanks, Guy …
Thank you so much for again putting my thoughts into such clear and important words. And indeed, Lord have mercy on us all!
I’m glad my words helped. And, thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you Guy for sharing your thoughts with us. As always full of Godly meaning. My love to all..Janet
Thank you, Janet. Our love to you, too.
Thank you Guy for speaking out. So many people are silent. It is not enough for African Americans to be outraged. It needs to be a human race outrage for things to change. Thank you for your outrage and your spirit!
Thank you so much, Christie.
There is so much spiritual illness. May our creator guide us to self healing as we bring healing to others. Lord, be merciful.
Thank you, Sandra.
Thanks, Guy. May Hod give us courage to use our voices and our hands to act for the good of all people.
Thank you, Dave. We need all the courage we can muster and the encouragement of friends, too. Best to you.
Thanks Guy. It is people like you who encourage us to keep the faith and persevere when we become fatigued. At times, we feel overwhelmed and believe we may be the underdog. Unfortunately, the rhetoric invades some of the churches and a distorted scorecard influences vulnerable people.
We will not succumb. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Please continue your influential leadership. We are better people because we know you in spirit.
Thank you, Mitch, so much, for your graciousness. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed, isn’t it? I agree with you that love is the way, and I have to believe that it outlasts all our fears and discouragements.