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.

 

It is time for a change?

Here is an interesting “Tweet” seen on today’s Meet the Press program:

“One guy TRIES to use a shoe bomb and everyone at the airport now has to take off their shoes. 31 school shooting since Columbine, but no change.”

 

 

Yet another day we all cried!

The "news" today has certainly been awful!  

It is hard to put all this violence into any perspective. We all naturally ask, "Where was God in all this?" No answer there - maybe it is wrong question. I can't even imagine the pain for the families that have lost their children and loved ones - and of course all this only 10 days before Christmas.

 I believe it is time for this country to get serious about gun control - what more proof is needed in order to demand some reasonable and sensible action! I know, I’ve heard it before: “When guns are outlawed – only the criminals (and mentally ill) will have guns.”  We have a Michigan legislator who wants to pass a Bill that makes it lawful to carry a gun in all public places – churches, malls, libraries, etc.  Oh I’m sure that will be helpful and add to our peace of mind! 

 There has to be a better answer! 

So, back to the first question: “Where was God In all this?” 

Where ever there is a lack of God’s presence there is evil.  Just like when there is a lack of light there is darkness.  So, the question should be . . .  

 

“How do I fill the darkness in my life because of this tragedy

with the light of God presence?”

 

“Whoever believes in me, even if they die, will live.”  (John 11:25b)

 

“Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.”  (John 8:12b)

 

 “I AM in the Father, and you are in me and I in you.”  (John 14:20)

 

Let us all pray - not only today, but every day -  for all whom have died, and for all who have been affected by this tragedy, that the light of God’s providence will fill their hearts with comfort, and strengthen them in this trial and time of great need for peace.

A prayer by Thomas Merton . . .

Lord, I will trust in You always

though I may seem lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear,

for You are always with me,

and You will never leave me

to face my perils alone. 

Amen.

 

O Mary, Immaculate Queen, look down upon this distressed and suffering world. You know our misery and our weaknesses. You who are our Mother, save us in our hour of peril, have compassion on us in these days of great and heavy trial.  We need a Mother and a Mother’s heart. You are for us the luminous dawn which dissipates the darkness and points out the way to life. In your compassion obtain for us the courage and the confidence of which we have such great need. Amen.

 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

 

“In prayer you do not depend on your own strength, but only in our trust in God.”

Henri J.M.Nouwen

 

 

 

 

Living in the “presents” – today’s gifts!

The POWER OF LOVE – the discovery of friends!

The WONDER OF GROWTH – the taste of transformation!

The MIRACLE OF LIFE – the gift of becoming!

The MYSTERY OF THE JOURNEY – the bends in the road, the pauses that refresh!

The FAITH – that dispels all discouragement!

 Merry Christmas!

EVANGELIZATION!

        Now there is a frightening word that scares and terrifies even the most stalwart Catholic soul! I don’t think it makes much difference whether you are clergy, religious, or just one of the disciples in the pews the word “evangelization” can strike into our hearts “DFW” [not the Dallas Airport – but Doubt, Fear, and Worry]. 

       While Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” he spent his earthly ministry looking for and recruiting “FISHERMEN!”  Big difference! Shepherds “protect” the flock – Fishermen put out into the deep to lower their nets (Luke 5:4) in search to “increase” the flock, “I will make you ‘fishers’ of men.” (Matthew 4:19).  In other words – Jesus isn’t looking for shepherds which is His job – He is looking for “Fishermen” which, for better or worse, is yours and my job!

So . . .

WHAT IS EVANGELIZATION?

        Evangelization it isn't “telling” - it’s “asking.”  Evangelization is finding a need and filling it; it is identifying a problem and solving it!  Evangelization is proclaiming the Gospel is such a way that people’s hearts “fall in love” with Jesus.  People leave, or never think to come into, the Christian community because they have never met Jesus!   We are called, as fishermen, to introduce Him to them!

Awareness ALWAYS precedes change!

       When there is a willingness to see the need or the problem in my life – and there is a willingness to except it, then there will be the willingness to reorient my life.

HOW CAN I BECOME AN EFFECTIVE EVANGELIZER?

A few questions . . .

Do I see myself as able to make a success of my life through the determined use of my talents, skills, and resources?

Do I focus my attention on what I can do in this world?

Do I see myself as a creature that has, along with many wonderful God given gifts, also having flaws and limitations?

What does the “message” of the Gospel mean to me today, here and now?

SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS

FROM MOTHER TERESA . .

·         “God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that we try.”

·        “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”

·        “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

·        “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

And three final questions . . .

What do I believe?

Why do I believe it?

What difference does my belief make in my life?

How Is Your Day Going?

How Is Life Treating You?

“Today” is the only day any of us has.

There is no “re-doing” of yesterdays,

and there is no “promise” of tomorrow,

there is only today. 

Don’t let today’s

love and joy get diminished or tarnished

by yesterday’s regrets or tomorrow’s fears. 

Life is – and always has been – a mystery and challenge.

The best we can do each and every day

is to make sure

our mind and outlook is fed with positive attitudes

and our body 

is fed with good nutrition and sensible exercise.

It is our belief

to “work like it is all up to me –

and pray like it is all up to God.”

                “God our Father, you conquer the darkness of life by the light of your Word. Strengthen within our hearts the faith you have given us; let not the trials of life ever quench the fire that your love has kindled within us!”

A Prayer for Our Country

at the

Democratic National Convention

Cardinal Timothy Dolan offers benediction—as well as moral exhortation, a lesson in . . .  political philosophy, and a challenge to recognize and grapple with first principles:

We beseech you, almighty God to shed your grace on this noble experiment in ordered liberty, which began with the confident assertion of inalienable rights bestowed upon us by you:  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Thus do we praise you for the gift of life.  Grant us the courage to defend it, life, without which no other rights are secure.  We ask your benediction on those waiting to be born, that they may be welcomed and protected.  Strengthen our sick and our elders waiting to see your holy face at life’s end, that they may be accompanied by true compassion and cherished with the dignity due those who are infirm and fragile.

We praise and thank you for the gift of liberty.  May this land of the free never lack those brave enough to defend our basic freedoms.  Renew in all our people a profound respect for religious liberty:  the first, most cherished freedom bequeathed upon us at our Founding. May our liberty be in harmony with truth; freedom ordered in goodness and justice.  Help us live our freedom in faith, hope, and love.  Make us ever-grateful for those who, for over two centuries, have given their lives in freedom’s defense; we commend their noble souls to your eternal care, as even now we beg the protection of your mighty arm upon our men and women in uniform.

We praise and thank you for granting us the life and the liberty by which we can pursue happiness.  Show us anew that happiness is found only in respecting the laws of nature and of nature’s God.  Empower us with your grace so that we might resist the temptation to replace the moral law with idols of our own making, or to remake those institutions you have given us for the nurturing of life and community.  May we welcome those who yearn to breathe free and to pursue happiness in this land of freedom, adding their gifts to those whose families have lived here for centuries.

Read the entire prayer on the Cardinal's blog:

http://blog.archny.org/index.php/a-prayer-for-our-country-at-the-democratic-national-convention/