People are hurting ...

This photograph is of a fellow 365er's page where she records the death of a police officer friend in Indianapolis.  He was one of eleven US officers to be injured in gun attacks in a period of twenty four hours.  Now four of those eleven have died - the latest being David Moore with whom Sara grew up.  Both of his parents are in the police as well.

Why is this happening?  Why are they targeted when their job means that they're dedicated to keeping communities safe?  To serve and protect.  To uphold the law.

The guy mentioned above was doing a routine traffic stop when he was shot - and after two days he died.

But the US is not alone in senseless violence and terrorism.  Our own province has the present car bomb incidents with the disruption of life in the surrounding area.  The intention was clearly to kill police officers.  What is to be gained by this?  Do those who plant such devices want a return to the Ireland of "The Troubles".  Do they even remember what those days were like and how that many, all over the country, lived in fear.

All over the world it seems that people think that they have the right to kill those with whom they disagree.  What has happened to the possibility of living side by side in peace?  Can we not talk to one another and come to some kind of agreement?  Violence seems to be the first reaction rather than an unthinkable last resort.

Now I'll admit that I can't watch violence on TV and even in my favourite murder mysteries I'll turn away from the screen, or switch off the volume, at the bad bits.  So maybe I'm a bit more sensitive to inflicting pain on others and cannot bear the thought of taking the life of someone .... but surely it cannot ever be justified to go out deliberately to kill?

I don't have answers to this ... but I do have a lot of questions.

O God
from whom all holy desires
all good judgements
and all just works proceed:
Give to you servants
that peace which the world cannot give,
that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments,
and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.  Amen. 

Book of Common Prayer

Evening Collect