With the Colorado shootings in recent days, one might wonder
what the correct response is. What do we say? What is appropriate, and what is
not? These are relevant and indeed frustrating questions. In the overabundance
of news media on the issue, I have come to realize that many people have
verbally offered up prayers for the victims and their families. This is
definitely appropriate. However, I have two issues with this. First of all, I
wonder how many people who verbally say they will be praying for the victims
and their families actually do what they said. I would imagine that the number
is very few. Secondly, as much as people may hate to admit it, the shooter,
while troubled as he may be, certainly needs prayer as well. I would even argue
that perhaps he needs more prayer than the victims and their families.
Compassion and mercy tend to flow from my life so while justice must be
accomplished in this situation, we must remind ourselves that the shooter is
also someone’s friend, someone’s son, someone’s students, and indeed someone
who has been loved by others at some point. Let us obviously remember the
victims and their families during this difficult time, but let us not forget
the one who was so troubled, so hurt, so confused, and so depressed even that
he made the choice to kill people. Let us also remember this man in our
prayers.
