"Somehow, we must take on the needs of the world with a humble heart."
Are you pro-life? If so, then you'll want to protect life.
That includes the lives threatened by guns. To imply that common-sense gun
control laws would not help reduce such shootings (no matter what their
motivations) seems insane. That seems to me like a "mental health issue,
too." Gun Control is a Pro-Life Issue.
Although we may never know what motivated the executioners who committed last weekends' mass murders, media reports point to an essay that the El Paso shooter published
about the domestic terrorism and cold-blooded executions of mothers shopping in
a Wal*Mart be a "response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas" some
invasion presumably of aliens.
I appeal to you to consider the Benedictine roots of our
education. That big concrete statue in front of
Today, if we still lived in a Benedictine monastery or household,
here is the excerpt which we would hear read aloud, probably as you sat
down to your midday lunch or evening meal.
The Rule of St. Benedict:
The kitchen for the abbot and
prioress and guests ought to be separated so that guests--and monasteries are
never without them--need not disturb the community when they present themselves
at unpredictable hours. Each year, the prior shall assign two monastics who can
do the work competently to this kitchen. Additional help should be available
when needed so that they can perform this service without grumbling. On the
other hand, when the work slackens, they are to go wherever other duties are
assigned them. This consideration is not for them alone, but applies to all
tasks in the monastery; members are to be given help when it is needed, and
whenever they are free, they work wherever they are assigned.
The prior shall entrust the guest
quarters to a God-fearing member. Adequate bedding should be available there.
The house of God should be in the care of members who will manage it wisely.
No monastics are to speak or
associate with guests unless they are bidden; however, if the members meet or
see guests, they are to greet them humbly, as we have said. They ask for a
blessing and continue on their way, explaining that they are not allowed to
speak.[i]
Sister Joan Explains and Reflects
With the fall of the Roman Empire,
travel through Europe on unguarded and unkempt roads through hostile territory
and at the prey of marauding bands became both difficult and dangerous.
Benedictine monasteries became the hospice system of Europe. There, anyone was
received at any time. Rich and poor alike were accepted as equals and given
the same service: food, bedding, immediate attention day or night. Yet, so that
the monastery could remain a monastery in the midst of a steadily growing need
for this monastic service, a special kitchen, and special workers were assigned
to provide the necessary care. It's an important addition to a chapter that
could otherwise be read to mean that the monastic life itself was at the mercy
of meandering peasants. The fact is that we all have to learn to provide for
others while maintaining the values and structures, the balance and depth, of
our own lives. The community that is to greet the guest is not to barter
its own identity in the name of the guest. On the contrary, if we become less
than we must be, then we will be no gift for the guest at all. Parents must
parent, and all the good work in the world will not substitute for that. Wives
and husbands must be present to the other, and all the needs in the world will
not forgive that. Balance and order and prayer in the life of those who
practice Benedictine spirituality is key to being genuine support in the lives
of others. Somehow we must take on the needs of the world with a humble
heart. As Hale said, "I cannot do everything, but I can do something, and
what I can do, I will do, so help me God."[ii]
As you consider how to prayer in the face of these more than
weekly occurrences, join us in praying this tomorrow. August 6 is the
anniversary of the world's most horrific terrorist act. Consider this prayer
tomorrow as Christians also mark the solemnity of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
A Prayer in the Face of Gun Violence by Rev. James Martin, SJ[iii]
Almighty God, I come before you, once again, after another
shooting.
I am sad, God.
So I ask you to receive into your loving care the souls of
those who were killed, to care for those who were wounded or hurt in any way,
to console the family members and friends of those who died or were wounded, to
strengthen the hands of the rescue workers, medical professionals, and
caregivers.
I pray too for the shooter, as I must as a Christian.
All this makes me inexpressibly sad, God. But I know that
the sadness I feel is your sadness. It is the same sadness your son expressed
when he wept over the death of his friend Lazarus.
I am tired, God.
I'm tired of the unwillingness to see this as an important
issue. I'm tired of those in power who work to prevent any real change. I'm
tired of those who say that gun violence can't be reduced.
All this makes me tired. But I know that the tiredness I
feel is your tiredness. It's the same tiredness that Jesus felt after his own
struggles against the injustice that led him to fall asleep on the boat with
his disciples.
I am angry, God.
I'm angry at the seeming powerlessness of our community to
prevent this. I'm angry at the selfish financial interests who block change.
I'm angry that these shootings happen at all.
But I know that this anger is your anger. It's the same
anger Jesus felt when he overturned the tables in the Temple, angry that anyone
would be taken advantage of in any way.
- Help me see in these emotions your own desire for change.
- Help me see in these feelings your moving me to act.
- Help me see in these reactions your pushing me to do something.
Because I know this is the way you move people to action.
And I know that you desire action. Jesus did not stand by while people were
being hurt. He plunged into their lives.
So help me to answer these questions:
- How can I help?
- How can I fight against gun violence?
- How can I urge my political leaders to enact change?
- How can I help people understand that this is an issue about life?
I am sad over the loss of life, tired of excuses for the
loss of life, and angry that we are paralyzed by the loss of life. So,
- Turn my sadness into compassion.
- Turn my tiredness into advocacy.
- Turn my paralysis into the freedom to act.
Help me to be compassionate, to advocate, and to act, as
your son did, Almighty God. Amen.
"Somehow, we must take on the needs of the world with a humble heart." HOW INDEED!?
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for
many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears
into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor
shall they train for war again. Isaiah 2:4
[i] August 5, 2019 Chapter 53: The Reception of Guests
[ii] (Excerpted from The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the
Ages by Joan Chittister, OSB)
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