Facing Tragedy as Church

Whenever something terrible happens in the world, people ask "Why, God?" Last week's hate crime at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando was no exception. As we look for answers for the suffering in the world, it is easy to fall into blame. Sometimes we blame the victims (they were killed because of their sexual identity). Sometimes we blame the perpetrator (he was an ISIS sympathizer). Sometimes we blame politicians (if we could only pass reasonable gun laws). Fundamentally, though, blame is not a Christian response.

As Christians, we claim that all people are beloved of God. We claim that we are all sinners, and that we all receive God's undeserved grace and mercy. These can be difficult ideas to swallow when we understand that they apply equally to victims and perpetrators - and to us!

As Christians, we also claim that God continuously seeks healing for the brokenness of the world and we who live within it. We understand ourselves to be ambassadors of that healing. As such, we are called to reach out to those who are hurting and scared and share God's love with them. We believe that all people are loved by God and have a right to life and safety, regardless of their sexual identity, gender expression, or the places they hang out. We are called both to advocate for them and to listen to them.

It is also important for us to be careful not to co-opt a story that does not belong to us. If we are not a part of the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer/Asexual (LGBTQA) community, this story is not primarily about us. It is about those children of God who are a part of the LGBTQA community. Those of us who are not a part of the LGBTQA community may be hurting and scared for a variety of reasons -- and we have a right to those feelings. But we must remember that no matter how hurt and scared we are, we are not as hurt and scared as those who were targeted in this crime. So we must reach out to those who are most hurt, vulnerable, and scared with the love and grace of God.

When we come together as Christian community, we find healing for our hurt and courage in spite of our fear. We are called together to love God's people and to seek healing and life for all people. God calls each person in a different way -- perhaps to reach out to LGBTQA friends or family members with an expression of love and listening; perhaps to contact your government officials with your ideas for gun legislation; perhaps to learn more about Islam so that you are not afraid of people simply because their religion differs from yours; perhaps in many other ways. While we pray for God's peace to reign on earth, we are called to work toward that end. So we work together.

As always, if you are upset,  hurt, scared, or overwhelmed by this latest act of extreme violence, know that I am always available to talk (or sit) with you. No matter who you are or what you fear, you are not alone. May God walk with you, and with each of us, into a new day.