We must.

As I sit here on a quiet and sunny Sunday afternoon, my daughter and husband quietly read to my left on the sofa, I cannot stop thinking about violence. This is unfortunate because as I said, it is a lovely day. I should relish in it, but I can not. The minister of my church delivered a sermon today which moved me to tears. The main theme was nonviolence. He read off the names of the victims from the Aurora, Colorado shooting. They were real people. It is easy to forget that. In the giant mess of such a horrible mass murder, the names and faces of those most affected are easy to lump together and forget. But we must not do that. They are real people. Many churches across the country in the aftermath of this tragedy have had sermons encouraging congregants to get saved because you never know when your time is up. I am glad I do not go to a church like that.

What does it matter to get saved? What does that even mean? Does it mean you go to heaven? What is heaven exactly? What is hell? I think I know the answer to that last one. Hell is being gunned down in a movie theater at midnight, especially as a six year old. I imagine that little girl was having a wonder time that night. She was probably so delighted to be included in all the fun. She got to stay up late, and probably even got to have candy and soda well after midnight. I know my own daughter would have been on top of the world had it been her. That is such a lovely image, but never forget her true last moment on this earth was complete terror as a strange young man in full body armor, armed to the teeth, shot an automatic weapon into her tiny body. Her name was Veronica Moser-Sullivan. She was a real little girl and now she is really dead. Hell is being Veronica's mother. Having survived those moments of terror to wake up in the hospital to find that your beloved daughter has died a terrible violent death. I don't think this is what Jesus had in mind.

I saw a picture of the gunman recently that also moved me to tears. He is staring blankly ahead, wild red-orange hair a messy mop on his head. He looked so frightened and helpless. If I had been close enough to him to touch in that moment, I would have been compelled to hug him. Because that is what you do when someone has that look on their face. He looked as though he didn't have a friend in the world. Many have vowed that given the opportunity they would like to carry out many number of atrociously violent acts upon this young man. This isn't the way. This is not what Jesus had in mind.

When we left church today, humbled and renewed, we decided to stop off for a burger and fries at the best burger and fry joint this side of the Mississippi, Braum's. While I was waiting on my burger, I thought I would peek at my facebook and check on my friends. Everywhere was news of yet another deadly shooting. This time it was in Wisconsin, and this time at a place of worship. The reason is not yet clear, but is there ever a good reason for this violence? Seven more people are dead and the shooter. One story I read had accompanying comments from the readers. The very first comment read, "Have the liberals blamed the tea party yet?" I was baffled by this and nearly wept again. Before we've even learned the names of the victims, before we know the reasons for yet another unspeakable act of terrorism, and even before have taken the opportunity to comfort the families of the dead, we are laying blame, drawing lines in the sand and choosing sides. What madness! What is wrong with us? THIS IS NOT WHAT JESUS HAD IN MIND.

I cannot make sense of these senseless acts of terrorism. I think it is impossible. I don't think any of us need saving by God. We need to save ourselves and save each other from the Hell we have created for ourselves. We need to do good and do no harm in our lives. Our lives are so short. I think the true meaning of being saved is to be saved from one's own selfishness, and make this world just that much less hellish in our lifetime. The violence must stop. We must have compassion for each other. We must have compassion for the victims, as well as the aggressors. WE MUST. WE MUST. WE MUST.  Jesus didn't own a gun and this is not what he had in mind.