Thursday, May 26, 2022
Just when the disciples were beginning to sense some
kind of peace about having lost their leader, their Lord, Jesus, and then
getting him back, he disappears again.
The pain and horror of the cross isn’t repeated, thankfully. But, once again, they are left to wonder what
to do next.
As they stood, staring “bug-eyed” into the heavens,
straining for one more look at their loved master, mentor, and Messiah, angels suddenly
stood next to them. And the angels brought
words of comfort and assurance. They said: What you’ve seen here, the same way you’ve
watched him go…that’s the same way he’ll be coming back. Stop your staring; it’s not over!
The promise of a “better day coming” is comforting, yet
it can strain our faith in difficult times.
And sometimes the test of faith itself is almost unbearable. This week’s tragic, unspeakable event in
Uvalde, Texas, where at least 19 children and two adults were murdered by
gunfire at their school, is one of those times.
I live nearly 1,400 miles from Robb Elementary School,
and have never met anyone who lives in that small town. Yet, the sense of loss I feel is overwhelming. And the sense of shame is palpable (for me),
that this happens so often in our country, where we unashamedly proclaim
dedication to liberty and civilized treatement for all people.
“Mass shootings” are commonly defined by four
or more victims at one location, or closely related locations.[1] May 24th
is the 144th day of the year, and this country has seen 212 episodes
of those “four or more victims” this year.
That’s an average of one rampage every 16 ½ hours…or at least one heart
stopped every 4 hours and 8 minutes. You
can keep the statistical records, but how can you possibly measure the loss in
terms of pain, both physical for the victims, and the emotional suffering for
the surviving families that will never fully end?
May 24th in Methodist circles, celebrates the
day when founder, John Wesley recorded in his diary how his heart was strangely
warmed, the sudden, wonderful awareness of God’s love, and transforming
power to bring eternal life. Yet, on the
record in Uvalde, Texas, May 24th will bear the names of 21 beating hearts
senselessly made cold and still.
For You Today
As the disciples were told by the angels to
anticipate the next advent of their Lord, we must continue to have our hearts
beat for the families who can barely breathe today…to do what we can to help
them gain a sense of hope in their terrible losses. I can think of no better way to offer that
hope than voices raised to end the violence of guns, or any other weapons.
[1] Images: Pixabay.com Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©
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