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| Uncredited/AP - FThis combination of undated file photos shows Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, left, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19. The FBI says the two brothers are the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing, and are also responsible for killing an MIT police officer, critically injuring a transit officer in a firefight and throwing explosive devices at police during a getaway attempt in a long night of violence that left Tamerlan dead and Dzhokhar |
Evil acts and senseless human death and injury are difficult for us to handle - we don't like living with the tension between right and wrong, good and evil or the painful reality that our living isn't neat, justice and pretty much of the time.
A mature faith can allow for this tension, without trying to erase it with casual comments like "I forgive the sinner but not the sin,," or "God will make it all right," or worse yet, "They are in a better place." Such positioning is an insult to the suffering of the victims and the complexities of the amazing world in which we live and the God of faith.
It is a reality of living in a fallen world that allows for the evil and painful to intrude. Just as the little boy that cried wolf was no longer believed when true danger appeared, our endless need to push forth forgiveness and acceptance without depth and compassionate backing each take us a step further to losing the meaning and value of such extensions. Like the parent who praises every moment of a child's life, even when no true accomplishment has been achieved, often finds themselves with a person who doesn't value the praise, but expects it. Forgiveness is a gift that should be considered before being bestowed. Well said, my friend, and much needed.
ReplyDeleteLife just isn't pretty. No amount of poetry, painting or eloquence will make it so. There is beauty in life...life is permeated with it...but not all of it makes sense, is holy or understandable.
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