I am sitting at the computer working when a news flash catches my eye – Bombs going off in Boston? I stop to look at the news – it is like watching a movie. Is this real? The reports are sketchy but sensational, someone is dead, many injured. They are talking about the Boston Marathon. Thousands gather for the run and all the celebration and joy surrounding it. But as it is winding up a bomb filled with sharp pieces of metal and ball bearings explodes sending these things at high velocity into the flesh and bone of innocent people. There is talk of blood and the sounds of those in pain. People are terrified. They run, but they help each other. The police are there to help. What was a scene of joy and triumph becomes chaotic and tearful.
What kind of person thinks up things like this? Why would anyone ever want to cause so much damage to the fragile bodies of human beings? Did they even consider that a child might be there? These questions go through my mind. I just can’t even imagine wanting to hurt others like that. Protest, maybe. Make a large sign perhaps but to hurt innocent people? It simply does not make any sense to me. There must be great pain to bring on such a lashing out.
As a person of faith I must consider that God is crying too. Why do we do this to one another when God created us to be loving toward each other. I pray for the people of Boston, and for all of us who are hearing about this tragedy. Hopefully, the authors of such a nasty act will be found and apprehended and brought to justice. God is likely weeping for them as well. Save us from ourselves. Still it is in these times that the good side of humanity also shines forth. Hope survives. And yet, the rest of the world suffers worse atrocities, daily. A reminder that we are all connected. Maybe in our pain we will see theirs more clearly so that hope remains alive.
