I hear people who are trying to understand the ‘whys and wherefores’ of the tragedy of CT. We hope that we hear just one bit of news that will make it all make sense.
I pray that we do not understand. I pray that it never makes sense to us. For when we begin to understand we begin to fall into the abyss. We begin to be able to imagine the evil that could perpetuate such horror. It is best that we stand uncomprehendingly with our mouths agape, shaking our head in total absence of understanding. We cannot and do not want to make sense of horrors like genocide, holocaust, 9/11’s and mass shootings. For when we begin to understand, it could become possible that we become participants rather than uncomprehending spectators who can condemn and thereby do something to protect the victims and change the world toward the reality of the coming Reign of God.
Unfortunately, we have begun to understand some horrors of this world. We have begun to ‘understand’ poverty, childhood mortality, abuse, rape, human slavery, and war. And in that understanding we have learned to live with it, excuse it, and sometimes, condone it.
Ann Reed sings an amazing song that I sing to myself during these times of incomprehensible horror: from verse 2 “If my mind understands ev’ry ruthless and poisonous act then this tired old world, this crazy time is havin’ it’s way.” Tired Old World words & music: Ann Reed • © 1992 Turtlecub Publishing
It you don’t have this song on your soundtrack. Buy it! Listen to it! Remember it!
And thank God when you do not and will not and cannot understand darkness. Then do something so the world can turn a little more towards the light.
For Light has come into the world and darkness cannot overcome it.
