Why?
One benefit/drawback of my busy summer is the absence of news: locally, nationally and world news. I generally enjoy hearing or reading about how things are in the world. Like many others, I celebrate with the good news and grieve with the bad news. With news media its relatively easy to stay somewhat separated from most of what occurs, after all, most of what I read is not happening to me or even near me. Weather reports may be one exception.
Each time I returned from camp or a trip I would try to catch up on things others were discussing, mostly politics and weather. The subject of politics has certainly heated up in my absence and a lot of people have plenty to say about the ongoing presidential race. The lack of rain this summer has caused a lot of media buzz, everything from speculation as to the reasons why we're experiencing such high temperatures and lack of precipitation to forecasts of rising costs of food and other commodities because the farmer has suffered such a blow this year.
The Aurora, CO tragedy happened at a time I was home and had the ability to know the latest news as it was developing. Yet, for this event I found myself avoiding news programming, news websites and national newspapers. I read a few Facebook posts that referenced the event. Those responses ranged from horror that it was happening (again), outrage because this movie continues to play in theaters across the country, rages regarding gun control and anger at the prevalence of violence in movies, games and such that our children are regularly exposed. And yes, there were also prayers of comfort offered up for those directly affected by this heinous act of violence.
These responses, though all very different, all have their roots in the question of 'why?' The theodicy, or great question of, 'If God, in all omnipotence and omniscience is active in our world, then why do bad things happen to good people?' gets quite a bit of dedicated time in moments like this. This question has plagued humanity since time immortal. The entire book of Job was written to address that very issue. For those of you familiar with that particular book of the Bible, I don't know about you, but it doesn't really answer the question of why…it only affirms that bad things do, indeed, happen to the undeserving.
Today I face the beast head-on. I've purposely read up on what happened in Colorado: who are the injured or lost, what are religious groups saying, what are our politicians saying or doing as a response? Many of these reports run the gambit from 'absolutely appalling' to 'beautiful sentiments' to 'this is ridiculous' (my response to the media). I, too, ask the question 'why?'. I suppose that is a natural human response, and I'm certain that this question will go unanswered along with others in the grand scheme of things.
In my readings and my wondering on 'why' I came upon this response that I'd like to share with you today…
And if we are gentle, and if we are kind, and if we are wise — we pause there and do not answer too quickly. We stay with the pain and the tears and the terror and in response offer compassion, prayers, thoughts and demonstrate a willingness to be supportive and loving in any way we can.
The faithful response is to hold a vigil.
The reason why it is so important stay silent and be still in the immediate aftermath of tragedy is that if we respond or answer too soon we do not honor those victims who have died, and those who continue to suffer. Instead, our reactions serve the idols of our own agendas and ideas. Our reactions become about us and our egos, and only serve to distract away from the real work of compassion. (Paul Brandeis Raushenbush)
And so, with each of you, I plan to be still and know that God is God and I am not and pray for the people of Colorado and all who struggle with the question 'why?'.
Blessings,
Tracy