By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the attack on Paris last
night (if not, please read here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34814203) So what now? What do we do after a terrible
tragedy like this occurs?
Some have taken to scapegoating. And, to be honest with you,
I kinda get it. After an event like
this, we are shocked to the core. Our humanity forces us to search for answers.
What is our answer? How do we respond? As Americans (French, Canadians, etc.)? As
Christians (Muslims, atheists, …)? As people bound together by the fact that we’re
all human beings experiencing tragedy?
We will be the
hopeful. We will BE the hopeful.
1 Corinthians 13:13 reads, “And now these three remain: faith,
hope, and love….” I’m sure you can complete the verse. But I believe these
three are the opposite of fear. The fear that tragedies like this create and
intend to create. Faith, hope, and love is how we’re called to respond. I
believe we are called to be faith. To be hope. And to be love. This can bring
us together. This, in time, can heal us.
We will be the
hopeful.*
*I am, again, borrowing this saying from my favorite
organization To Write Love On Her Arms (www.twloha.com).
While processing these events last night, this saying was all I could think of.
God’s calling me to be the hopeful.
Well done, Naomi! You are right, I think, that the terrorists want to do what their name suggests: spread terror. But if we can be the hopeful - offering hope, peace, faith & love - in a world that is full of fear, war,and hatred then we are following the path that Christ first showed us. We know that Life has conquered Death: we now need to go out and live this knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you don't mind, but I would like to link to your post from my blog. I have been struggling to know what to say about this, but your words have said it better than I think I could.
Of course you can post it!
DeleteI am coming to Paris this week! My plane lands on Wednesday morning. How can I help? I'm trying to find out how I can volunteer but all I'm finding are links to donate, and I'd rather put myself to use as opposed to donate money to the Red Cross' 'general' fund.
ReplyDeleteGreat spark of the light of faith, hope and love in the land of darkness and fear caused by the recent terrorist attacks. Just a note to assure you of my prayers and support, even from a distance!
ReplyDeleteGreat spark of the light of faith, hope and love in the land of darkness and fear caused by the recent terrorist attacks. Just a note to assure you of my prayers and support, even from a distance!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your presence and witness. Love is indeed stronger than death.
ReplyDeleteYour blog was posted on GEMN's home page: www.gemn.org.
Blessings,
Jim (President, Global Episcopal Mission Network)