“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offend you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:13-15 NLT)
I haven’t said much about the events of our country lately for a few reasons. Initially, I tried not to rush to conclusions, yet the video of George Floyd left very little room for additional explanation. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. I realize my shortcomings in the conversation: I have been born into white privilege and have never experienced anything more than a healthy fear of authority. I am not a violent person and cannot fathom creating or contributing to the scenarios that are unfolding in cities all over our nation. There are multiple perspectives to each and every situation. Only individual retelling coupled with careful listening could possibly begin to unravel the atrocities of this week.
My heart has been breaking for days; first to see a man’s life spill out of him under the knee of an unfeeling force and then to see the unbridled pain of so many people pour out of Minneapolis. Now this violence is spreading across our country, already rendered an emotional powder keg from quarantine. The news is horrific, but untrustworthy at best. We’ve long ago learned to listen with bias.
I don’t have any solutions. All I can say is stay kind and pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Arguing won’t resolve this. Angry facebook posts won’t bring peace. Division will not heal our nation. Only prayer will turn this situation around.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to one;
For it is in giving that we recieve;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
(Francis Assisi)