For many Americans today, it is just another day, but for those of us old enough to remember, today was one that changed history. The assassination of President Kennedy has now become history, a day that many simply read about, like Lincoln’s. The assassinations of Presidents Garfield or McKinley are little more than footnotes in a history book. Most, if not all, history teachers weren’t even alive when it happened.
Political assassinations, often the acts of desperate or deranged people, are uncommon in these United States, but we have had our share of them even in our own time. The ease of obtaining firearms, whether high powered rifles or pistols, has seen results in assassinations.
Political violence is more than simply using a gun on people. It has become part of today’s rhetoric even in the halls of Congress. No longer simply the acts of unbalanced persons, now members of Congress use the language of murder against others, such as we saw in an Instagram video murdering another member and attacking President Biden. As a society it is imperative to eliminate this kind of language, for words lead to actions, often with terrible results.
Prayer for the Day
You call us to be your witnesses, but you know, O Lord,
We are often fearful and silent in the face of injustice and evil.
You call us to share your freedom, but you know, O lord,
That we often keep our blessings. for ourselves alone.
Forgive our frailty, our fear, and our weaknesses,
Strengthen us to transform our words into action.
In the name of the Transformer of our lives, `
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.
Martin Luther King Jr., Preacher (1929-1968)
Violence is a symptom of impotence
Anais Nin, French-Cuban American writer (1903-1977)
The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and hates the lover of violence.
Psalm 11: 5.