This last week has not been a stellar one for the followers of Christ. As often happens following tragedies such as the inexplicable mass killing of movie goers at a midnight premier of the latest Batman movie, religious leaders came forth with various explanations for the shootings. Mostly, they went along the lines of the usual complaints about God not being allowed in schools, or religion being pushed out of the public square. Others took it further, blaming acceptance of gays and lesbians for a breakdown of our society. Even the usually respectable Billy Graham, who in his advanced age has grown further from his ecumenical love and respectful charm and has appeared to fall under the influence of his inept and crass eldest son, called American culture worse than Sodom and Gommorah, inferring that the shootings were somehow God's punishment for our sins.
This has sadly become the norm among Christians in America. It seems that the only difference between many of our mainstream churches and the Westboro "God Hates Fags" Baptist Church is the tactics, not the message. No wonder so many despise us.
Even those that showed some semblance of God's compassion offering prayers and remembrances for the victims missed the point. As was pointed out quite eloquently by Mother Valori from the pulpit last Sunday, where were the prayers for the shooter?
At first I was taken aback by the idea. Why should we show sympathy and love for someone who has shown such a manifestation of evil? The answer when you think about it is quite simple. Because that is exactly what we are called by Christ to do.
Christ's call for all of us is to love. Love each other as God loves you. Love your neighbor as yourself. Even love your enemies. This is the radicalness of Christ's love. The only acceptable reaction to anything or anyone for a follower of Christ is to love.
Where was the love from any of those preachers who sought out blame as an explanation for an inexplicable act? Who looked to find scapegoats and targets to attack and hold responsible? Is this what we have been called to do?
Being a Christian - that is living like Christ - is at once the simplest and most difficult thing to do. The late Catholic priest and radical activist Phillip Berrigan said "If enough Christians follow the Gospels they can bring any state to its knees." This is the power of love.
Christ commanded us to love. This is the only way we can truly practice our faith. We must meet hatred with love. And when we are beat down, shot, killed, beaten, we must show more love. For that is what it means to live like Christ.
So why are we doing such a piss poor job of it?
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