Once again, another shooting in our country.
I went to sleep Saturday evening, yet again, feeling sadness, despair and helpless.
Once again, another shooting in our country.
I awoke on Sunday and felt like the feelings of the night before began to intensify.
I went to Mass with a heavy heart.
My thoughts were with all whose lives ended so abruptly, for their families, their community and me.
My thoughts were with those whose lives were devastated in a moment.
I prayed for those families who were in deep grief, shock and sadness.
I prayed for all who were injured, physically, emotionally.
I prayed for those who were caring for all in need.
And, I prayed for those who created this violence.
And I prayed for myself, that I will not allow myself to be filled with despair but become a person of action.
I feel so sad and helpless, and I trust the God of love and compassion must as well.
The God of my understanding endured and experienced the brutal treatment and death of God’s son, Jesus, must too be sad. God knows. Of course, God knows.
But I do not know.
I do know I hate this news, this reality.
This morning when I turned on the news, the facts were shattering.
As reported by CBS news this morning:
“The number of mass shootings across the U.S. so far in 2019 has outpaced the number of days this year, according to a gun violence research group. This puts 2019 on pace to be the first year since 2016 with an average of more than one mass shooting a day.
As of Sunday, which was the 216th day of the year, there have been 251 mass shootings in the U.S., according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which tracks every mass shooting in the country. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as any incident in which at least four people were shot, excluding the shooter. The toll of 251 mass shootings include five high-profile rampages in the past eight days, in which more than 100 people were shot”.
So today, I seek to know how I am called to act. How can one person make any difference in this disaster of violence that seems to prevail in our country? I pray and will seek action to be a person of justice, compassion and catalyst of change. To act is to live my baptismal call, this is pro-life, this is critical to life, my life and the lives of all persons.
I am tired of this reality and I can only imagine that God is as well.
Jesus did not stand by as people were being hurt, nor can I any longer.
While I am not clear on my future actions, I will begin doing something while I continue to seek how to respond. Yesterday, I called my congresspersons, today I will speak with kindness and greet ALL I pass by. I will continue to seek ways to live the Gospel and work to respect life…I hope you will as well.
Geralyn Nathe-Evans has been called to the vocations of wife, mom, Lay Ecclesial Minister, nurse and friend.