Catholic Online Forum

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The tragedy of 20 children and 6 adults shot in an elementary school in CT, yesterday, is still in the minds and hearts of many.

I couldn't help thinking of the "slaughter of the innocents" by King Herod. It was insane jealousy and the lust for power that led to this evil in the time of Jesus and the same evil persists today.

As one of the mothers, whose child survived, said on TV, she almost felt guilty at the same time she felt joy that her child was still alive. What mixed emotions many at that scene must have had! What trauma some of the children who survived had and will have for a long time! How many heart-broken families are left bereft of their children!

I thought of Our Lady on her way to Egypt, trusting God in the midst of a similar, horrible tragedy. Her heart too sorrowed for what she knew could happen to persons at the hand of cruel Herod. Those mothers whose children were ripped from their arms and murdered, how inconsolable they must have felt!

God of Mercy, Mother of Mercy, turn our hearts and minds to you, and help us.

Mother of Sorrows, comfort especially the mothers in CT who lost their little children and "adult children" yesterday. Help us all to learn from your Son to remain in His Love; to overcome evil by doing good in our world, by His Grace.

_________________
MariaChristi

I am currently reading Cardinal Dolan's Called to be Holy. In the chapter on HOPE he relates the funeral of a one-year-old baby who died suddenly of what appeared to be a simple cold. The parents were active parishioners who had been trying for six years to have this baby.

The pastor was slow to start his homily, and finally said: "If you all think I'm going to explain to you why little Matthew died, you're going to be disappointed. I don't really know why Matthew died. Even with hope in a loving God it makes little sense. But without that hope it makes absolutely no sense at all." The parents told Cardinal Dolan later that those were the only words that made any sense at all in that dark time.

_________________
- Joe Kelley

Death is only a shadow across the path to Heaven.

Dear Joe,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I thought often during these last few days, where can people find any meaning in life without Faith in God? May the witness of those with faith encourage those without faith to seek God in earnest. Let us continue to pray, with faith, for all those in most need of His Mercy.

_________________
MariaChristi