Help Me Understand

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

I really have no words to say how I feel about what is going on in our nation today. I don't really keep up with the news of other countries and I'm sure things like what happened yesterday happens in some places of the world on a daily basis. But, here in the United States of America we're not used to hearing about things like mass killing as often as we have been.

The online news outlet Mother Jones reported that since 1982 there have been at least 62 mass shootings in the States. Of that number 25 have happened since 2006 and in 2012 alone we had 7. These mass shootings have taken place in 30 states spanning the country between Massachusetts and Hawaii. The number of people killed in the past 30 years is over 1,000, with just over 150 people losing their life in 2012 alone. In an article on the D.C. naval yard shootings, The Huffington Post has a headline which suggests changing the name from mass shootings to mass killings.

When I read these articles I most certainly resonate with Jeremiah. Just as Jeremiah cries out, "My joy is gone", so do I. As Jeremiah proclaims "My heart is sick", so do I. I'm at a threads end when it comes to holding my composure and not falling to my knees in a cry out to God to make it all stop.

I cry in pain as I think of adding another 13 families to the list of thousands affected in the last 30 years. I find it difficult to keep the churning in my stomach from becoming anger as I think about the senselessness pouring out of the mouths of those who defend the shooter's right to carry a gun. Then, as I pause this morning to listen, I hear a voice on the television make the statement that what we are best at in the United States is making these things "go invisible".

I sit back and realize he's right. Atlanta - 5 killed, Oakland - 10 killed, Seattle - 7 killed, Aurora - 70 killed or injured, Oak Creek - 10 injured or killed, Minneapolis - 10 injured or killed, Newtown - 28 killed or injured. All of this just in 2012. How many of these did you remember? If you're like me, none until yesterday's shooting. They've become invisible to everyone except those directly affected.

I know the United States is in no way the only place on the planet where these things happen. I am not so naive to think that we're alone in the pain and suffering which comes from senseless killings. I also know I don't go through the pain and suffering alone, and neither do any of those closer to the senselessness.

Jeremiah reminds us that it's okay to cry out to God. It's okay to let God know you're sick and tired of all the hate, anger, greed, and division in this world. Jeremiah also knew that sometimes the crying out is what sparks action towards justice. And there it is. Are we simply okay with hearing these horrific stories come into our living rooms and letting them anger us? Or, are we going to do anything, something, to help make the world around us a better place.

There is balm in Gilead, there are physicians here. What is needed is for us to start the healing by reclaiming those around us in the love of God.