Once again, The Rev Barbara Cawthorne Crafton succinctly puts the hammer to the nail as she reflects heavily on the disaster and death at Virginia Tech yesterday morning. Her ability to put thoughts into words is, hands down, better than I could ever do. Here is part of her reflection...WORST CASE SCENARIO
Well, when would be the best time to commit a crime? Wouldn't it be right after another one had been committed in another place nearby, when everyone's attention was focussed on the first one? Such a plan makes enough terrible sense that even a person whose mind is diseased enough to do such things could follow the logic. And, as we know today, it worked -- just well enough, for a shooter who doesn't mind dying himself -- at Virginia Tech's Norris Hall.
So there will be an investigation of police procedures at Virginia Tech. And of emergency communications policy. And the endless American argument about gun control, a discussion so puzzling to people from other parts of the world. When something this large and this crazy happens, people want to find something concrete to fix, so that it will never happen again.
But "never" is a long time. There is only so much protection we can give ourselves against insanity.
Read the rest here.
Keep watch dear Lord with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
If you wish to light a virtual candle and include a prayer, you can go to the Candle Vigil page at The Geranium Farm to do so. Many prayers are already being offered...please add yours, as this is what they need the most.
Catherine
4 comments:
My prayers, my heart, my soul goes out to all these people, whose lives have been forever altered at the whim of someone who had no value for them or their lives.
May God have Mercy on them, and on us all.
May he help us to accept the unacceptable; heal the unhealable; and hold one another close in the fragility that surrounds each of us in our lives.
Excellent thoughts from Barbara+.
I want to thank Closeted Pastor and Milton for helping me remember the prayer included in this post. It is so fitting, sadly enough.
What can I say? Crafton is-- sometimes you just have to use the word "masterful." Can you help me think of an inclusive equivalent?
That was just heartbreakingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Pax, even though it seems impossible.
C.
Yes, Catherine+, the compline prayer is very apt.
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