The news of the death of 19 children and 2 adults in the shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is simply incomprehensible. Once again we are left dismayed at what humanity is capable of. Families and a community have been left with such unimaginable pain, grief and loss, yet unite to comfort and to love, while a nation once again debates and divides over constitutional rights.

It is heartbreaking ...and so we pray "Lord, have mercy."

I am sure that all of us have already been praying for these families and this community, asking that the God of all comfort would bring them His grace and strength amidst their deep sorrow and that He would bind them together with love and peace in the face of violence. 

...and so we continue to pray, "Lord, have mercy".

And as those in power assume and argue their well rehearsed and deeply embedded positions and postures, as they point the finger in every direction...

...we pray, "Lord, have mercy."

Today is Ascension Day, the day the Church recalls Jesus' return to the Father, with whom he will rule and reign with Kingdom power and authority, a reign that he demonstrated and inaugurated as he walked among us - it was, and remains, a reign of love and peace in the face of voilence.

...and so we continue to pray, "Lord, have mercy".

This is a time to lament and mourn - yes, for and with those who will be numb with pain in Uvalde - Lord, have mercy - but also for this world of ours that has not yet understood that Christ comes in the power of love, not the love of power. 

...and so we pray, "Lord, have mercy."

The bible is no stranger to mourning...

“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:4)

We therefore mourn with those who mourn in a posture of lament and prayer that somehow leads to hope - and so we pray... 

"Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Amen"

Grace and Peace

Ian