Reflecting on Violent Tragedies

 

The following just appeared on the web site of Creighton University – a Jesuit Catholic University in Omaha, Nebraska.  I thought you would appreciate reading.

             The shocking murderous violence at an elementary school has shaken us all. Our very sense of security has been shaken. We ask questions about why this could happen, with a sense of outrage. We grieve and feel deep emotion, which touches all other sadness and emotion we are experiencing in our lives. We do not, and may not ever, know the details of what caused a person to shoot innocent people - especially little children and their teachers. However disturbed we may discover the person was, or whatever discussion may be begun about assault weapons in our midst, it is undeniable that we feel, individually and communally a sense of vulnerability - for ourselves and for our children.

             For now, our experience of the second part of Advent, and our preparations for Christmas are deeply disturbed. We hear of people or towns taking down their Christmas decorations, out of guilt for celebrations at this time, or simply a sense of not knowing what the right thing to do is.  What should we do? How should we respond? What does our faith offer us at this troubling time?

            At the heart of our Christian faith is the wonderful mystery of a Creator God who enters into a relationship with all of us who are created as unique and irreplaceable children having infinite value. We must re-center our vision on the absolute dignity of every human life -- from conception to natural death. That respect for life must confront a culture of death on all levels. Every life must be regarded as precious and we must work hard, and work together, working with renewed zeal to re-introduce respect, reverence and special care into our regard for every human person.

            We must pray for peace and healing in our own hearts and in our communities. The night before he died, Jesus prayed to his Father, "May they all be one." This must become our prayer and our mission. We must overcome our prejudices, our judgments, and our bigotries. We must learn to deal with our hurts, our wounds, and our anger in ways that respect one another and the absolute dignity of every person.
 

            We must develop a culture which cares for those who are wounded and live on the margins of our society. We need to find ways to develop our compassion and our solidarity with those who suffer - for whatever reason. We do not and cannot live in isolation from those who experience great pain. When one part of the Body of Christ suffers, the whole body suffers. [1 Corinthians 12:26]

             It is for us believers to rely on the promises of our God: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown." [Isaiah 9] It is a time to enter more deeply into the real meaning of preparing for Christmas. The (surprising) “good news” is that we will find our salvation in a messy place, in a barn, "lying in a manger." This is the time to go to that place of meeting with our God in his coming and his presence among us. He meets us where we are.  He comes to us in our distress. This is our Immanuel, that is “God with us,” – and he is with us where and when we most need his loving and saving presence.

            When we don't know what to do or where to go these days, we can go to the manger. We can imagine being there. We can imagine going there and experience the solidarity we will be given there. From that place, our renewal can begin. Our conversations within our families and among our friends can be about solidarity and a greater love and caring for the dignity of every human life. We can check own patterns of dealing with hurt and anger. We can practice reconciliation and healing. And the grace that came that very Holy Night will come again into our hearts.