I hesitated to comment on the senseless slaughter of innocents in Connecticut, but finally decided I would summarize some ideas here for your consideration. I also prefer not to label these my own beliefs, because I think when one does that, (even though I think one should stand up for what they believe in), it polarizes others into an us vs. them debate, and then nothing happens as neither side is willing to budge. Beliefs rarely change for someone when they view someone else’s situation.
That said, I wonder if several discussions could be started that might lead to more productive and constructive actions. The martyrs and saints of Newtown deserve honest dialogue – about life. Until we recognize that our most precious gift in this world is life, and that once here we are required to support and nurture it, these things will continue.
Others have written of lives lost daily in inner cities that go unnoticed and ignored. It’s a privileged society, and only when the privileged suffer do the alarms ring, and loudly. How could this happen? How could it be stopped? And then the other side shouts “Don’t even think about taking away my guns!” And people many states away and far removed from the tragedy arm themselves and prepare as if this were an epidemic and not an isolated incident.
It is an epidemic. An epidemic of fear. If I use a kitchen knife to chop carrots and I cut my finger, I clean the wound and put a bandage on it. If I use a machete to chop carrots and I cut my finger, I go to the hospital to either have it re-attached, or to fix what’s left of my finger. If the tool is available, you must accept the level of destruction it can accomplish.
I pray for those lost in Newtown, for those who remain, and for all those whose loss goes unnoticed and uncared for. Martyrs and saints are made every day, usually out of our sight, but not God’s.