Guns Out of Control; Sorrow at our Doorstep

 Scene near First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas
(Reuters photo)

Last Sunday we turned on our TV sets to hear of another tragic mass shooting. I have written a few blog posts in response to gun violence. The most recent was just last month with “America's Slow Dance with Death.” Rather than write yet another response, I would like to call you attention to two others who have responded in the wake of this latest tragedy.

Roger Lovette is a Baptist minister who has an excellent blog, Head and Heart. Last Wednesday, he posted an essay, "Guns (out of) Control." He has some pointed observations well worth reading. For example, he says, We need legislators that have enough courage to do something besides mouthing: “our thoughts and prayers are with you...” If these that serve us were really serious about the common good and genuinely cared for all those who have been killed and their loved ones—this sad picture could change.

Later in the essay Lovette tells us: 

Our crisis reminds me of something the Russian Poet Yevtushenko wrote years ago. Knowing the injustices and inaction of the leaders in his homeland he wrote: “Remember how in so strange a time common integrity could look so much like courage.” Common integrity—this is the great need of our time from all of us.

You can read the entire essay here. 

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Another voice comes from The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, Episcopal Bishop of Atlanta, in his letter to The Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Let's not pray. 

As someone who convenes and commends prayer for a living, what America needs now is less prayer and more action from her elected officials. When the doers of evil are foreign born, suggestions for policy and action flow forward. When the doers of evil are Americans with automatic and semi-automatic weapons we are invited to moments of silence and prayer. Silence is what we use to hear God speak, not a place to hide from our responsibility. Prayer is not a refuge for cowards. Prayer is where we steel ourselves to partner with God for good. Please do not invite me to pray in response to the horror of Sutherland Springs Texas, unless it is to pray courage over elected officials who intend to work for the ban of automatic and semi- automatic weapons.

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