But he wrote this prayer in October 2017, after the horrible mass shooting in Las Vegas...
Almighty God, I come before you,
once again,
after another shooting.
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
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.
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.
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 injustice
that led him to fall asleep on the boat with his disciples.
But I know that the tiredness I feel is your tiredness.
It’s the same tiredness that Jesus felt after his own struggles against 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.
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.
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.
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.
For 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?
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.
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.
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.
to be compassionate,
to advocate
and to act,
as your son did,
Almighty God.
In true Jesuit fashion - and as we are all called to do - Martin asks the Mighty One to help us find God in these events too. He asks God for strength and to help us imitate the empathy of Jesus. Martin asks us to do more than pray but to let our prayer become action. HERE is how we find "God in all things." The very goodness of our Creator is found in each one of us; it is our birthright! And we can choose to see God in the words and acts of mercy, love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness that follow these horrendous acts that are NOT of God's doing or desire.
I invite us to not so easily move on and then forget the souls that were taken from their families and friends. I invite us to pray for the survivors who will experience repeated trauma, fear, and survivor's guilt. I invite us to pray for the ones who are so lost and afraid that they feel compelled to take such unconscionable actions.
And lastly, let's pray for one another that we don't lose hope. Then despair wins. Pray that we don't lose trust in one another. Then fear wins. Pray that we don't become numb. Then hatred wins. Let's pray for a change of heart in our leaders and in the people living within our nation. 💙
