Is this how we begin a week? Another mass shooting, and, oh yes, with an assault rifle – God, when will we be rid of assault rifles? The murderer – the word shooter is just too sanitized – targeted Black people because of their race. This man left “manifestos,” one of his father, one for the media, and one to federal agents. Although the parents called the police as soon, they were too late. The attack had already taken place.
We have to ask ourselves: what drives a person to the point of hating a group so much that persons are attacked because of their characteristic? Race, religion, ethnic group hatred just doesn’t come out of thin air. As Nellie sings in South Pacific, you’ve got to be carefully taught.
Prejudice always starts small, distinguishing people from others based on fear, the fear of loss of importance, of power, of place. It insidiously grows as it is stoked like ashes from a fire until it takes over. And then, the conflagration occurs. As Christians, we must extinguish the ashes with the water of love.
Prayer for the Day
We know, O God of justice, what is required of us, yet we falter;
We know, O God of mercy, what we need to do, yet we hesitate;
We see the evil in the world around and often are afraid to respond.
But you, O God, tug at our sleeves and call us to step forward.
Move us, O Holy Spirit, beyond the excuses we create:
So we may live faithfully according to your Gospel.
We ask this in the name of the One who shows us the way,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.
- Maya Angelou, poet (1928-2014)
Prejudice is the child of ignorance.
- William Hazlitt, English essayist, painter (1778-1830)
There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus.
- Paul’s letter to the Galatians 3:28