Inundated by press reports regarding the shootings in Connecticut, I realize that this particular holiday season will always be remembered because of this tragedy. So many friends in education and the arts are stunned and shaken.
Yesterday was Joy Sunday in the season of Advent. We attempted to remember the big cycle of the church year to which we relate that somehow provides a context for whatever events are happening on any given day in any given year. Trying to sing "Joy to the World" at this time seemed to be one of the deeper faith experiences of recent days. Two words from this Sunday resonate in my mind. My pastor, Tim Sizemore of Church in the Meadows, acknowledged the ongoing question that many ask in times of suffering: Where is God in all of this? Tim reminded us that God was exactly where God has been everyday - in the lives and presence of the teachers, administrators, and janitorial staff who were caring for those children day in and day out.
Another pastor, whose name and church I missed, was briefly interviewed on a Tampa television station. He stated "Sometimes, God does not give us the answers because God is the answer."
While my own faith helps me cope, I would also love to hear from people with other worldviews as to how they understand and deal with such events. Would that the mainstream pmedia could demonstrate a bit more E PLURIBUS UNUM spirit and interview leaders of other traditions for the good of our national culture.
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