Those of you who read these morning reflections may have noticed that Wednesday is usually a day I focus on aspects of God’s creation. Today, however, is one that can only be one of deep grief at the horror of another slaughter of children – not in some faraway place, but here and in a school again. And in Texas, a state with liberal gun laws.
How is it possible that we as a Nation turn a blind eye to such carnage, hiding beyond a mythic Second Amendment that permits an 18-year old to have guns to kill children? The elected scum we call politicians will all cry out, “This is not the time to talk about gun violence.” So, just when is the time?
We all should look at our so-called elected leaders and ask if they take money from the gun lobby. And it’s not just the Congressional representatives but gun money flows throughout our state house as well. In the circles of hell Dante created in his Inferno, violence only falls into the seventh. Treachery, In the deepest pit, belongs to Satan. So, too, does any legislator who takes money from the gun lobby.
Prayer for the Day
God! We cry, not again, O my God, again, and again, and again,
For we lack courage, we lack strength, we lack will.
Taken in by the casuistry of the gun lobby we are told, “Not now.”
For our ancestors needed guns against English tyranny.
But you know, O God, that is not how we live now, so we beseech you,
Take the scourge of violence from guns away! Give us courage!
In the name of the One who overturned tables of corruption,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Only with gun violence do we say that mourning is acceptable but discussing how to prevent more tragedies is not. But that’s unacceptable. As others have observed, talking about how to stop mass shootings in the aftermath of a string of mass shootings isn’t too soon. It’s much too late.
- Ezra Klein, political commentator
Nearly every American will know at least one victim of gun violence in their lifetime.
- Gabby Giffords, former U.S. Member of Congress shot at political event
Why have you forgotten us completely? Why have you forsaken us these many days?
Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored;
Renew our days as of old –
Unless you have utterly rejected us, and are angry with us beyond measure.
Lamentations 5:20-22