It’s Beyond Comprehension

We just can’t get our minds and hearts away from the tragedy in Boston. Three innocent people murdered, including Martin, a LITTLE BOY ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD. Additionally, 140 people were seriously injured when two powerful bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon.

Is it coincidental (or providential) that this week, our Senate deliberates and may vote on modifications of our current gun regulations? Gun purchasers will only be requested to undergo a background check. This really just slightly infringes on our second amendment arms rights.

The vote was brought on by the late 2012 massacre in Newtown, Connecticut: 20 little children and seven staff members brutally killed by a sick man with an assault weapon. Don’t we admire the tearful relatives and friends from Newtown who lobbied for congressional action?

And, dare not forget Atlanta. During the 1996 Olympic Games, Eric Rudolph, the anti-abortionist, who without rhyme or reason exploded a bomb in the Olympic Park killing two, and seriously injuring 150 others, and the list goes on and on.

What could I point out that might provide some light as we face this darkness? What might begin to heal the wounds, not primarily of the body, but the bereaved souls when relatives are afflicted, with no warning.

Jesus said, in Matthew 5:4 — “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This sounds like a defense tactic — but, how do we hold on until comfort comes? The wounds are too fresh, the tears won’t stop. What can we do?

G.K. Chesterton shakes us up when he writes, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been difficult and left untried.” Ugh. He’s right. This has been our problem since the Garden of Eden – you remember Eve and the crafty serpent:

“Did God say you shall not eat from any tree in the Garden?”

The woman answered, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, you shall not eat of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die . . .”

So, why did the flagrant disobey their Creator? It’s simple — they didn’t want to be bothered with Him interfering in their lives any longer. They would eliminate God and have absolute power and control over the whole world themselves. They could do what they pleased. Live in the moment.

This is really not difficult for us to comprehend. In fact, it is our desire in 2013. Now, I know this is an exaggerated allegation, but we also want super power and super control over God’s whole world.

There is almost one gun for every citizen in the USA, making us the most heavily armed country in the world, with the highest gun murder rate on earth.

Here are a few practical suggestions to consider, as we seek a less violent city:

Volunteer with effective organizations trying to rehabilitate drug addicts, working first with those who are very young. (With professional advisors to guide this sensitive project, involve STRONG COUPLES as role models for our addicts.)

Help seek employment for those with criminal records.

Provide anger management resources for all in need of our communities, especially designed to curb domestic violence in our homes.

Understand how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects so many of our military personnel returning home from war. Strongly support treatment centers designed to help them (VA has resources available).

Let your Congress know that in the future, you will insist on nationally enforced legislation, banning assault weapons.

Place a high tax on all guns and ammunition purchased. Then, let’s donate these funds to families of fallen law enforcement officers, and wounded, military personnel returning home.

Parents– do not allow our children to play violent TV games or watch violent movies.

At present, this killing is beyond our comprehension, yet we are not without hope.

Let us not forget this promise, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Or this core problem: “This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light.” (John 3:19)

Between the problems and the promises is the silver lining that it’s not too late. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Join me. Reach out and share — what are we doing to bring comfort to those who mourn?

Joseph L. Roberts