A Day to Remember

I called my grandson to make sure he was safe as soon as I heard about the unthinkable events that took place in Newtown, Ct. He was happy having just gotten home from school, full of excitement after a big Christmas party before their long Holiday break. I wanted to hug him in that moment and yet happy to settle for a phone conversation. I just needed to know he was ok and to say “I love you and can’t wait to see you one week from today”.

 

Friday, December 14th has become one of those days we will remember where we were when we first heard about the multiple murders of the children and teachers in the Sandy Hook Elementary school. Did I hear correctly? Was it possible that 20 elementary school aged children had been shot? Did the news organizations make a mistake?

 

As the news reports from NPR began to feel real to me, tears of sadness, grief and shock flowed freely and my mind was filled with questions. Even after a week of more reports about the shooter, his mother, the victims have filled the news space, it still seems surreal

 

Some have made comments about why God wasn’t there that day. In Unity we know that God is everywhere present and yes, within every human being, no exceptions. Any response to this tragedy that doesn’t include compassion, love and comfort to the families of the victims, the shooter’s family and the community is, in my opinion, inappropriate.

 

We do have some really hard questions to ask ourselves as a country. How many guns do we need to feel safe? Frank Deford, an NPR regular, in his weekly comments said that we have an average of 90 guns per 100 people in this country, more than any other country in the world! What are we afraid of and how many guns do we need to feel safe? Do we need guns that fire multiple rounds at the touch of a finger? How are we addressing the needs of the mentally challenged?

 

These are the questions we need to ask rather than where God was on that day. God works in and through each of us. Jesus taught us to love one another, even our "enemies" and do good to those who hurt us. As we draw closer to Christmas, let's remember his only commandment, love God and your neighbor as yourself. Love is the answer!

 

Join Unity and The Shift Network by taking part in the "Three Days of Love" December 20-22. Make every word and action one of kindness, friendship, and generosity.

Love,

Rev. Debbie Moss