Psalm 80:1-7
I am feeling a deep connection this week with the lectionary passages; especially as they lead towards the Sunday in which we celebrate the Love shown to us through Jesus Christ.
As the days distance themselves from last week Friday's shooting I am beginning to see the deep divisions I spoke of yesterday come to fruition. Nothing is making me feel sadder than to hear people actually say that the only solution to these types of tragedies is to put a gun in every hand. Can you just imagine what would happen if a room full of people had guns and one, just one of them felt threatened? There wouldn't be a person left alive.
The answer to violence is never more violence. Jesus reminds us that if we are stricken we should turn the other cheek. Jesus reminds us that it is the peacekeepers who will see the face of God. As Jesus looked into the eye of extreme injustice he reminded us that to show love, even until death, is really the only way towards peace.
The children at Sandy Hook were shot down because of the decisions of someone who may not have been able to make an intelligent decision. It would also seem he was able to get the guns from his mother, who was living in fear of her government. It is this fear, the fear of the unknown, that drives people to do the things they do. In order to stop things like this from happening we need to find a way for people to trust each other again.
Our Psalm today begs, yes begs for the one who will bring us peace and joy through love; that is the hope of all humanity, don't you think? It is in the love of your God you will find the peace you need to overcome your fears. It is in the love of your God you will find the joy you need to overcome your weaknesses. It is in the love of your God you will find the hope you seek to live in a world void of violence and filled with Love. It is in the Love of your God your lives will be restored to a place where neighbor takes care of neighbor.
On this day look for ways to love, not ways to spread fear.
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