10 IMPORTANT THINGS
- Images recording the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police are beyond horrifying. Floyd’s murder is added to other black community members including Armand Arberry, Breonna Taylor, Laquan McDonald and a dozen more police killings caught on tape.
- Monstrous revelations of deep rot corruption of some church leaders including abhorrent criminal behavior has harmed all priests and bishops. All of us live under the specter of suspicion because of the wicked evil of a few. Similarly, when a bad police officer is caught it devastates public trust and makes their law enforcement duties not only harder, but far more dangerous.
- I cannot begin to understand the horrendous pain felt in the black community resulting from continuing crimes committed against them by those in power.
- I wholeheartedly join my brothers and sisters protesting passionately and peacefully. Racism is repugnant, a vile offense against God Who created all people in the divine image.
- In his classic Christian creation The Inferno, Dante Alighieri populates the very depths of hell with those sinners having committed the most heinous of all sins – betrayal. We all know how traumatizing it is to be on the receiving end of betrayal. Try to consider its fury when it is systemic and prolonged.
- “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
- Biblical peace is God’s gift, not a mediated settlement. God graciously extends to all His Presence and Power especially to those who most afraid – afraid of deplorable injustices continuing, afraid of marginalization by race and culture, afraid of being included among those committing evil acts and deplorable crimes, afraid of violence and mob tyranny.
- Intentional disciples know Jesus’ teaching. God’s gift of peace begins with self-acceptance of the divine Presence and Power and, from this, they work tirelessly to be reconciled and to reconcile others with God. Peace not arising from biblical truth is in vain and unattainable.
- Fear is a favorite demonic tempting tool. Left unchecked, it rapidly fuels frustration that will boil over into vengeance and violence.
- Of all that God tells us we must do, the most often repeated throughout the whole of Sacred Scripture is, “do not be afraid.” Accept today the peace Christ offers us. Trusting God and permitting Him to work through us is the only way to bring peace to the world.
