My Hope and PrayerFor Peace in our Land

EDITORIAL IN NATURE

For me, this week of shock and grief began exactly one week ago on Sunday when I received the news that our beloved young family member, my great-nephew, was lost to a violent suicide, it wasn't limited to the weekend, but would surround all of life--at least--for the week ahead and beyond. Our bond as a family was knitted together ever so much more firmly from day to day and as each student friend seemed to offer themselves as a new step-son for my grieving niece. Hugs out-did hand shakes by at least 8 to 1. The nightly camp fires in the Wildrick-Cole back yard were a powerful way of drawing friends, acquaintances, parents and teachers together during such a time of searching for common strength.

Monday began a daily ritual of bombs being sent through the U.S. Mail to former leaders, legislators and other well known personalities of our nation. I thank God the perpetrator was caught by the end of the week, because the growing tension created by such evil intentions added to a strong sense of unhappiness with the divisions being driven among us as Americans. Why must it be that if "they" win, then "we" must totally lose even to the point of being destroyed? Whatever happened to the old win-win philosophy? After all, we have to continue to live in our same blessed land together and find happiness even around those with whom we differ in opinions.

We now are at the end of a rather uncomfortable week, and it ended on yet another sorrowful note. News of a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh Synagogue on the Jewish Sabbath killing 11 worshipers and wounding 4 (these totals may change with morning light). I concluded in my last paragraph that it is necessary to find happiness even in the midst of those with differing opinions. Here, however, is an example where opinions which are backed up with violence are simply not acceptable. If one's opinions or ideas must end in "upsetting the apple cart" or endangering the lives of fellow human beings, then one's opinions must be re-examined. "Thou shalt not kill" is made doubly wrong when it also violates a guaranteed U.S. constitutionally protected provision such as the unhindered exercise of religion. Again I give thanks to God and to our men and women in blue that the culprit surrendered before attempting escape from the synagogue.

Human power seems more often than not to fall short of the goals. Spiritual power has, throughout the centuries, seemed to be the answer. Let us each seek after the one who is above all kings and whose "peace passeth all understanding."