Thank you. I feel stupid that evil is still so shocking to me -- but when the little boy who just joined Cub Scouts with your kids is shot dead, when the family you sat behind at Mass all the time is just gone -- how do you believe it?
Martha | 12.20.08 - 8:33 am | #

Our priest also said that we should be glad that our own sins are so petty and small that true evil shocks us. It is something that we think of as happening in Africa or South America or at least far away from our lives if it does happen in our own city. Which is very true. It should shock us, it should make us angry, because we know that it is evil and wrong.

He also pointed out that we like to make sense of things and there is no making sense of this, except I now realize, as Mark does in his piece. If we are God and see the big picture then we could see the pattern that led these people to do this horrendous thing. But we can't see it. We are too close.

He said that the only thing we can do in our sorrow and grief is to surrender ourselves to God and to pray. Because we will never understand. It was not God's will for these innocents to be slaughtered but because the perpetrators had free will then God abided by the rules of His creation.
Julie D. | Homepage | 12.20.08 - 9:23 am | #

Thank you Mark. When one is filled with the sadness, fear and rage that this kind of evil evokes, it takes all the self control one can muster to see it for what it is. Thank you for such an articulate exposition.
Tom D. | 12.20.08 - 11:31 am | #

We continue to pray here.
Owen | Homepage | 12.20.08 - 12:21 pm | #

Well-said , Mark. This week has been one of prayer and ministry for me because of the sudden death of a friend's husband last Sunday. No warning. Just...gone. She has few resources and five children under the age of ten years old. Please Julie, if you can, remember them in your prayers; for comfort, direction, and provision. I will continue in prayer for you and for this family --- and for the murderer.
Rosemary | 12.20.08 - 1:47 pm | #

Rosemary, I am praying for that family. Thank you for your prayers ...
Julie D. | Homepage | 12.20.08 - 1:52 pm | #

I don't even remember how I got to this blog, but I have prayed a rosary for the family and friends. I live in Omaha and my son and other family members live in Dallas. I will remember them all at Mass today. Omaha suffered quite a shock last December when a shooter went on a rampage at VonMaur Dept. Store aat our Westroads Mall. God rest the souls of the victims and comfort the family and friends at this sorrowful, tragic time.
susie | Homepage | 12.21.08 - 12:00 am | #

I am so sorry for this man's pain and I will pray for him today at Mass. When my son was killed, God helped me so much that even though I was filled with sorrow, He filled me just as much with gratitude. It was then I realized why Jesus is called, "Savior".
Yes, there is Evil. We do have an enemy. But, we do have a God who has already won the battle. In the meantime, we must not lose heart, grow bitter and turn our faces away from Our Lord.
My son died 31 years ago, and it still hurts, but the love that God gave me that day, and ever since, is MUCH more powerful. I rejoice in His allowing me to be a part Heaven.
My heart is overflowing.
May we be given the grace to trust in our all-knowing God.
Victoria
Anonymous | 12.21.08 - 8:40 am | #

Julie, my thoughts for you and this family are posted here:
http://www.brokenalabaster.com/2...under- fire.html
I hope you are doing well - especially during the quiet moments of the day.
MaryH | Homepage | 12.23.08 - 4:19 pm | #