March 08 Kandili Article
“A Grave concern, offered to God”
In the midst of this challenges I would like to call your attention to another concern that is not a threat from without, but rather from within. I refer to the alarming rise of shootings in schools and other public places, the killing of innocents as a prelude to suicide for apparently disturbed young men. The watershed event seems to be the tragedy of our own Columbine. There appears to be at least some “Columbine” common thread to subsequent shootings. In the past several months shootings have graduated from high schools to institutions of higher learning. Virginia Tech and most recently the University of Northern Illinois have been the stage of terror, death and sorrow. Then there are the malls of Omaha and Salt Lake City – places of commerce and safe recreation. Their busy hallways have been changed forever in the minds of many by the sounds of gunshots and sights of fear, chaos and death. Finally, the Colorado Christian Mission Center in Arvada, Colorado and the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Places of worship on Sunday “The Day of our Lord.” Psalms of praise, interrupted by gunfire…Why? What is the cause of such apparently random destruction of innocent life? What is the profile of the perpetrators? Most have taken their own lives after their rampage. Perhaps all would have, if they were not gunned down first. There are all sorts of theories. Most have been loner types of young men. Quiet. Disturbed. Many have been from broken or unstable backgrounds. But not all.
In this beautiful and blessed country in which we live where successes and accomplishments abound we have so much to be grateful for. We can be proud of so many of our young men and women. They are a reflection of us, of our society. However, likewise the perpetrators of these tragic and heinous crimes are a reflection of us, of our society. Disturbed. Misfit. Angry. Hurt. Abused. Intelligent. Kind. Caring. Quiet. Hurtful. Lost. These are some of the adjectives I have heard used to describe the young men. In all cases family members or friends could not imagine they would do what they did.
I chose to write about this grave concern this month as it weighed heavily on my heart. As we are challenged from the “outside” with concerns of safety and peace, we also must be concerned from the “inside”. Please join with me this Great Lent, as we are examining our own personal lives. I don’t have answers to the challenging questions as to why such things happen. As we pray for ourselves, our families, our loved ones, let’s also pray for the world, for the lost, the confused, the misfits, the hurt, the angry. Let’s pray for the victims of these senseless crimes, for those who have lost their lives, for their family members and friends, the injured – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Let’s take this concern, these people, innocents and perpetrators “inside” to our personal and corporate prayer life. Let’s place them and us in God’s care and protection.
Please join me daily this Great Lent in the following prayer:
Have a blessed and God-filled Great Lent.
In Christ’s love,
Father Lou.