In the Confessions, St Augustine wrote of his temptation to yield to his former life of sinful living. “I was afraid of another fall, and in this condition of suspense, I was all the more being killed.” Augustine and Robert Aaron Long, however, took two very different paths to resolving their temptations. Augustine merely “put away” his concubine and son while Long went on a murderous rampage.
One major difference between Long and Augustine was the culture in which they were raised and their access to weapons. Augustine’s conversion led to a self-denial that resulted in his charity towards the poor. Long was able to simply buy a gun to eliminate the so-called “sources” of his temptation.
As Christians it is important not just to condemn but to work towards new approaches to people with sexual and other addictions to creatively heal them so that their internal torments do not result in such tragedy. And we must again look at the ease with which a person can obtain a gun to create such horror.
Prayer for the Day
We come to you, O God, in the midst of tragedy, and ask: why?
For we seek to understand how pain can lead to such violence.
We look to you, O God, for answers to our questions,
But we know those answers really lie within ourselves.
Grant us, O Lord, a better grasp on our temptations and anger
And those of others so we may bring healing to those who need it.
In the name of the Great Healer who knows us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Quotes for the Day
You called and shouted and burst my deafness. You flashed, shone, and scattered my blindness. You breathed odors, and I drew in breath and panted for You. I tasted, and I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I burned for Your peace.
- St. Augustine, from Confessions, Bishop of Hippo (354-430)
No evil dooms us hopelessly except the evil we love, and desire to continue in, and make no effort to escape from.
- George Eliot, pen name of Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880)
Grant me grace as befits your kindness; with your great mercy wipe away my crimes.
Thoroughly wash my transgressions away and cleanse me from my offense.
For my crimes I know and my offense is before me always.
You alone have I offended, and what is evil in your eyes I have done.
Psalm 51: 1-4 (Tr. Robert Alter)