Several recent studies have been examining the anxiety and fear many children have after a school shooting makes the national news, such as the one in Oxford, Michigan. That one was particularly frightening because it was a student who did the shooting. Much of the fear and anxiety results from wondering if some classmate, once considered a friend, would turn on other students.
Parents worry as well, but none of this seems to rub off on the Members of Congress who get large donations from the gun lobby which opposes the gun security enacted by some 30 states and the District of Columbia.
How can we have peace with so many guns? It may be true that guns don’t kill people, people do, but it’s the access to guns that allow people to use them to kill. Our children deserve better than to have lockdown drills and kindergarten children should not have to learn such lyrics as “Lockdown, lockdown, lock the door. Shut the lights off, say no more” to the tune of “Twinkle, twinkle little star.”
Prayer for the Day
O Divine Light, that shines in the deep darkness,
Brighten our lives with the light of redemption;
Claiming that we are helpless, unable to change the world,
We have tolerated injustice and violence.
Help us recognize that the real change is that of ourselves
So that we learn to are able to love as we wish to be loved.
In the name of the One shows us how to love,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thoughts for the Day
We know only too well that what we do is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop ere not there, the ocean would be missing something.
Mother Teresa, worker for the poor (1910-1997)
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
James Baldwin, American novelist and essayist (1924-1987)
Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
Let my supplication before you; deliver me according to your promise.
My lips will pour forth praise because you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of our promise, for all your commandments are right.
Psalm 119: 169-172