I lived for many years in John Boehner's congressional district, and given the gulf between my political views and his, I have not had much occasion to quote him, but, today, this is what he said:
"I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country."
Indeed, our prayers are with all the victims, and not just in this case. This week has also seen the death of a local sheriff's deputy, followed by the death of her assassin, and far more tragedy in our nation and world than I care to try to chronicle. May light perpetual shine on the souls of the dead, and may the wounded, in body and spirit, know the healing presence of the Divine.
I, along with perhaps more of you than I care to contemplate, may be numbered among the wounded. Do not fret...I have had these wounds for more than three decades, now. The body does not always easily forget violence done to it, nor does the spirit, and so there are times when I am reminded that, while I have learned to cope, my wounds have never healed. The last couple of weeks have been such a time...a season without joy, in stark contrast to the celebration of Advent. And yet, through the clouds and flurries, rays of hope are breaking. I am bathed in them, and it is very good. I look around me, I look within me, and this is what I see: life, and light perpetual, shining. This, in a word, is Epiphany!
Peace to you this winter's day, my friends.
6 comments:
It was beautiful tonight - & so are you my dear heart.
We lost a local small town sheriff this week also. I didn't have tv for two weeks, now I'm thinking perhaps ignorance was bliss ... ?
So much sadness out there. Senseless sadness. Thank you for the reminder of the light.
It is so very sad to me that the discourse in our country can cause someone, who apparently was barely hanging on to reality, to purchase a gun and perpetrate such violence on others.
I pray for Ms Giffords and all those affected by this, and for those whose painful wounds are reopened every time we see victims of violence.
Peace to you my friend.
Such a beautiful photograph. The deep tones of color in the sky have a soothing quality, like having a quilt pulled up around you.
It seems there are times when the only way a direction may be reversed is to be confronted by the action to stop all actions, which the shooting of Gabby Giffords seems to be. I know that in my own life it has been that kind of abruptness that has helped me see what I haven't been able to see, or perhaps acknowledge. As a nation, and as individuals, our journeys toward wholeness are woven with the actions of and interaction with others. Sometimes it is fits and starts. Sometimes there is salt ground into our wounds. But I am convinced that as long as we are committed to finding our way toward wholeness we will experience healing.
Blessings to you on your journey, and may light shine perpetually through your Epiphany.
Beautiful post, Dr. L.
Dear C.L.,
Indeed this is a lovely set of photos and words. It's hard in the dark days of winter, and these terrible things that happen to us just seem to fall on us. Still we are here, and see beauty, and bring it inside.
So thank you for posting this,
Ann T.
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