Today is a day I’m not ready to leave. Usually that would mean great things, but not this day. Senseless violence on little ones leaves me grasping for air and words. As a young father the news of this day strikes the core of me. Anger, tears, feeling vulnerable, helpless, confused, the list goes on. All I can do is hug my daughter tighter, embrace my wife with love, and weep and yell at God. Not because this is God’s fault do I yell, but because lovingly God listens and understands. It is true to me on these occasions that the scandal of the cross and Mary’s torment and anguish holding her crucified Lord and Son give me some consolation and hope. We are not alone. The Emmanuel we prepare to celebrate coming to be with us at Chtistmas is here now. God with us, through sorrow and joy. But we are Christ’s hands and feet – so let us be with one another now and always with mercy, compassion, and much more listening than talking.I am not writing to explain and make sense of what happened. But I hope I can emphasize the validity to mourn, be upset, and be confused. For 3 days the disciples of Jesus were in complete desolation. I don’t know how many days you, I or the families require; but let that time be.

Yes abortion happens everyday and we mourn for all those lost by it and pray for it to end. The world needs to respect all human life with dignity.

Yes there probably is some debate needed about access to guns and care and awareness of mental illness.

Yes we need to figure out how this happened and ways we can learn and reduce this from happening again.

But no, none of that should be our first action. To do otherwise would be missing our first calling as Christians; to love and serve one another.

First let us mourn. Let us pray, listen and be present to one another. Let us take time to process this alone, and with friends & family. It isn’t a time to spin and play politics. Love those around you even better than you did this morning.

And for those working with young people: be present, listen, pray, and direct them to whatever help they need that is beyond you. (See here for more resources on that) That goes for parents too.

I’m not a grief counsellor or an expert of any kind…just a man after God’s heart. And my heart is telling me to be with those in pain, care for them and leave my agendas and causes at the door when I leave in the morning. I can do that as the cause I have is to simply love and bring mercy and healing to the brokenhearted.

Peace be with us all-Colm