Senseless, maddening, disturbing, and anger - these are the words that best fit my reactions to the killing of an innocent 9 year old girl and five others last week. I had to turn the channel when the father spoke about his great loss. And again, as in similar situations before I want revenge measured out now, here on earth, in a proportion double the pain the shooter caused. I want to be like the band of revenge dedicated Jews in the fictional movie 'Inglorious Bastards' who kill German soldiers and officers during WWII at such a rate and with such gruesome efficiency that Hitler himself wants them dead. This Tuscon bald Adams family look-alike killer needs pain and shame inflicted in large doses with no mercy and gruesome efficiency.
I've thought this through before and know that's not the right answer but still, its my first thought and a longer lingering thought than I care to admit. It takes me awhile to find a postiion of mercy in these situations - even though I'm not personally involved. Revenge is not what we are called to, it's just my first postion as a card carrying member of a sinful world. Maybe I'll get better as time goes on.
Last week I mentioned I was studying and reviewing the commentary on how often Jesus told us to forgive - and more importantly to keep forgiving. Right after Jesus tells Peter and his disciples to forgive 70 and 7 (or 70 times 7) times He tells a parable. Jesus tells a parable to help his disciples and us remember the main point.
Jesus tells about a man who owed mega bucks - some say $ 10,000,000 others say even more - as in 10 times the national budget. OK, we get the point but maybe the guy in the parable doesn't - he's under the illusion that he can pay this back and he says so. He also askes for mercy. What he gets is full forgiveness of his debt. Awesome! Then this same guy meets up with someone who owes him a $20 bill. The guy can't pay so he has the debtor thrown in prison, which then results in his own forgiveness being revoked.
In real life, I'm the guy who doesn't understand well enough just how much I've been forgiven. Somehow I think I'm not so bad really and I'm a guy who's quick to look for revenge on other debtors. Shamefully, I'd be a great addition to the 'crucify Him' crowd. And yet, even then, some of Jesus' last words were- 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' It was a final and exampletory 70 and 7 moment.
So in the Tuscon shooting case, punishment is deserved, revenge is not. We learn that in this sinful world terrible things happen, unexplainable things happen. Let these events remind us that we are forgiven much, that our own sinful actions won't allow us to cast the first stone. We've got to drop our rocks and go see if we can help the people who have been hurt or help others like them who hurt. At the very least let us be reminded that life is short and fragile and that our God-given faith is our most important possession. And that faith that requires forgiveness - even in Tuscon.
Your Much Forgiven Friend,
kp
