September 26, 2024

As one might expect, I begin my day with a time of prayer and meditation. After some reading time, I review online the New York Times and the Huffington Post to reacquire knowledge of what is going on in the world. In the latter publication there is a section entitled “Before You Go.”  “Before You Go” contains news stories that are generally on the ‘lighter’ side than the headlines at the top of the masthead, including human-interest stories and often a dose of celebrity gossip. Yet I could not believe my eyes when I observed that one of the articles in Monday’s “Before You Go” section included a deadly mass shooting in Birmingham AL over the weekend. As people were partying at a popular nightspot, a vehicle drove up to the venue. Multiple shooters emerged, killing four people and injuring seventeen (at this writing). It was the most recent of three mass shootings in the city this year that resulted in the loss of life.

I reflected on what the positioning of this story in the Huffington Post implied.  Are we as a country now so apathetic about mass shootings that they are not important enough to be considered major news stories?  What does this say about our priorities when such a horrific event is alongside articles about new fall jackets for men, the ten rudest things one can do at a grocery store, and a new ‘dentist clean’ electric toothbrush? ( among the articles in this “Before You Go” section).  The article’s location perhaps not only speaks to the accumulated trauma we have experienced in this country regarding the epidemic of gun violence, but the accumulated emotional numbness we are perhaps experiencing with each mass shooting without a systemic and effective response to this epidemic.

In the first of his letters to the Corinthians the apostle Paul declares that the ‘foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (1 Cor 1:25).’ Perhaps this is a stretch, but it appears that the location of last weekend’s mass shooting in a section relegated to ‘minor’ news items is an example of human wisdom.  It is perhaps for this reason, the Church is needed to proclaim, as Paul says in another verse in the first chapter of this letter “Christ Crucified” one who identified with suffering, and as said in Isaiah 53:3, “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”  We proclaim One who knew suffering firsthand and the importance of being in solidarity with those who suffer, sometimes because of the destructive consequences of human wisdom. Lives needlessly ended at the barrel of an automatic weapon demand our attention, our compassion, our anger (in a way that characterizes humility and righteousness), and our response to advocate for the sacredness of human life in the form of stricter gun laws. But at the heart of these responses is our faith and our witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, judged foolishly by human wisdom, but is the power of salvation and leads the way to Shalom, where everyone can live in peace and safety.  

This is why our coming together as the Church is needed in our world. This is why coming together as the Central Atlantic Conference is needed in our world. As you might, or perhaps should know, our Annual Meeting is a week away. We will come together and be a witness of the Church to the God whose foolishness is greater than human wisdom.  Registration is still open (deadline October 1st) , and you can attend either in person at St. John’s Grace United Church of Christ at our home in Catonsville or attend online in your home. Either way, please come so that we can be the Church together, bearing witness to the extravagant love and grace of God made known to us in Jesus Christ.  And may we during our time together experience God’s Miracles, Signs and Wonders in our midst.

Faithfully yours,