Loving God, we defy your goodness and deny your character of kindness in the violent acts we inflict upon each other. Why, Lord, why? What drives your children to kill their colleagues and then themselves? How can we break this cycle of desperation, despair and murder? We struggle with what to do, what to say, how to help those whose lives are forever changed in an instant of senseless slaughter. How do we heal our communities and our country so riddled with bullets that tear apart the fabric of our life together?
In this moment, all we know to do is cry out to you in lament and recommit to work tirelessly for your promised peace. Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who minister in body, mind and spirit to those devastated by this tragedy, grant wisdom and courage to all of us who yearn for the day when swords are beaten into plowshares and all people rejoice in the abundant life you wish for the whole of your beloved creation. Amen.
