This Should Be A Time of Peace

As we begin to approach what should be a time of great joy and happiness in our nation and around the world, we are plunged into a time of sadness and heartbreak throughout the nation. Needless to say, our hearts go out to the families, both here in this nation and to those in Australia, as we all grieve this senseless loss of life. 

I’m not about to tell you that I have any words that will fill the void that is being felt by the extended families of those who have been directly affected by these horrific acts of violence. What I can tell you is that the terrible sense of loss is also felt by those who work as first responders who are first on the scenes of these terrible tragedies, as they too struggle with the appalling loss of life surrounding these mindless acts of hostility and carnage against innocent individuals, while they struggle to save lives. 

According to statistics, in our nation alone, 125 people die by guns and more than 200 are shot or wounded per day. The effect of that carnage extends well beyond those casualties themselves, affecting thousands more, many of whom will continue to live in fear for the rest of their lives. And 59% of adults, or someone they know or care about, have experienced gun violence in their lifetime. Recent numbers show three million children witness gun violence every year. 

I can’t begin to imagine how a parent feels as they prepare to welcome home their child for the Christmas holiday, only to receive the news that they’ll now have to plan for their funeral. No Christmas now or forever will ever be the same, while those who did survive will carry those memories with them forever. 

In Rhode Island authorities are still struggling to arrest a subject in regard to this horrible act having early on detained an initial subject and later released that person, while halfway around the world Australian authorities will continue to investigate what they are calling an act of terrorism, as that nation grieves for 15 of its citizens who now lie dead and 27 others are hospitalized, some in critical condition,  after the worst mass shooting in the last thirty years in Australia.   

Authorities there are reporting the victims range from that of a 10-year-old child, an 87-year-old survivor of the Holocaust, and a Rabbi, in what authorities are calling a terrorist attack on Jewish Australian citizens. The attacks occurred on the first night of Hanukkah, turning what should have been an evening of light, joy, and community celebrations shattered by another senseless act of violence for those of their faith around the world. 

Officials reported the father-son suspects would design their attacks to target Jewish people. Officers fatally shot the father while critically injuring the son prior to taking him into custody.All of this within a nation with fairly stringent gun laws aimed at deterring these types of mindless and inane acts of violence against innocents within our societies.   

Synagogues here in the United States and around the world have also been placed on high alert during a time when people of Christian and Jewish faiths should be celebrating during these special times.  

I can only pray during these trying times in which we witness these senseless acts of violence that we are able to come to our senses around the world as we all say a prayer: “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth Peace, and Goodwill to men.”