Like the rest of the world, I am mute tonight, stunned before the incomprehensible attacks on the innocent at the Boston Marathon.
Why?
What possesses people to kill and maim others?
The Slaughter of the Innocents, sadly, has always been married to power. Not just Power, either. Not just governing, controlling wealth, imposing a worldview on others.
The Slaughter of the Innocents is also married to power. To prestige in a group, in a work community, in a city. In those cases, the explosives are words, gestures, exclusions, disrespect, any form of bullying. The explosions occur in people's hearts, shrivelling their spirit, sucking out the joy in their lives, dismembering their abilities.
It's easy to decry overt cruelty of the magnitude the people at the marathon and their families experienced today. It's even tempting to feel self-righteous. How can people do such things?
No throwing stones, remember, unless we are ourselves without sin.
Wow. I liked this. I read it a couple times.
ReplyDeleteThe other day I was very disturbed by something I saw, and I wanted to write about it but didn't know how to articulate it.
When I read the third last paragraph I realized I had found the words I was looking for. Only they were yours!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the feedback. I do so appreciate the comments.
ReplyDeleteYvette