Monday, October 9, 2006

Dearest God,

"Shoot me first," the 13 year old Amish girl cried out. "Shoot me second." Her younger sister implored. Looking directly into the barrel of a gun, they offered themselves as a sacrifice for the others. The shooter took them up on their offer.

A one-room schoolhouse in Pennsylvania became the site of extraordinary courage. Children exhibiting raw courage in the face of a crazed man who came to kill them.

When did we decide to turn against our children? To mistreat and misuse them? To neglect or abuse them? I still can't conceive the hierarchy in the Catholic Church whose loyalty was greater for the institution, rather than their own children! I can't get over it. I can't understand how any adult can harm a child, least of all clergy and government officials like the current case of a senator alledgedly preying on teenage pages in the Senate. I was astounded when I read about what was happening in the Netherlands where a group of pedophiles have formed a group to get support for a law changing the age of consent from 16 to 12. For what? So they can seduce them even younger and get by with it?

I was haunted for months when I read about human trafficking, how predators go to rural villages in foreign nations and offer to buy or take babies to "better" their lives in America. Yet, their sole purpose is to use, exploit them for big money.

I want to vomit when I imagine the ways children are being destroyed. And we who are the adults were given these children to protect and not harm. I don't get it!

When did we decide to turn against our children? Have we lost our mind? When our youngest members of society have to step forward to offer themselves in the midst of evil, I wonder where and how in God's heaven we can reshape ourselves to return to our values where children are regarded as sacred human beings, a gift from God.

Forgiveness, the ability to forgive someone for heinously destroying a human life, is a lesson to be learned. The Amish society in Pennsylvania is an unbelievable example of humanity exhibiting the highest moral, ethical, and spiritual values. I think in the end forgiveness has to take place or revenge will raise its ugly head in the void destroying more lives.

At the same time I think it is a wake up call to every person who reveres human life and honors God's gifts. We cannot take these events lightly as if they will go away. They won't. In a world bent on destroying itself at so many levels, we've got to plead with God to find a new way and act upon it.

And I find myself where I began, "shoot me first." I need that kind of courage to fulfill my own life's purpose. A world without God will eventually kills itself.

I cling to you, Great God,
for direction and guidance.
What is my own responsibility
in the face of growing destruction?
How can I initiate change
that will make a difference
in human lives?
How can I become courageous,
doing your will,
following your lead?
My heart is troubled
as I stand back and watch
the world of darkness
snatch our young.
Help us,
O Lord,
to save our children
because in the end
we will also save ourselves.

Forever yours, Andrea