violence in the news

it is criminal that we are people that create a world where violence is acceptable. it is felonious that we are perpetrators of violence onto our children.

twice in recent weeks, there have been news stories of adults entering schools and shooting children. the first story was shocking. the second one crowded the first one out of the news. yet the tragedies are still there, weighing heavily on the families who have lost children, frightening other kids who have with these stories.

we are made criminals by living in a society that drives adults to hurt children if we are not actively pursuing ways to bring peace. we are abusers and murderers by helping to create a society that causes children to perpetrate violence against other children.

three shootings in schools in the recent weeks.

we are just as violent as the society we live in if we are not actively striving to be peacemakers.

i don't know what to do with that.

how can i be a peacemaker? how can i make our world safer? how can i protect the children of this world? how can i help bring healing to our society?

i don't have answers to those questions. but i also know that i can't ignore these news stories.

when Jesus was moved to compassion, he acted. he did something. he healed, he helped, he saved, he spoke. i need my compassion to move me. there must be passion in my compassion.

in the words of Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and 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 love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.