Is it just another news story, or is it an event which brings us to our knees in prayer? Twenty people were injured this morning as a 16-year-old male student went through stabbing other students at a high school in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. The debates about school security will be in the spotlight once again and politicians will be striving to capitalize on the catastrophe to push their personal agendas. Unfortunately, the deeper and more theological questions will most likely remain on the periphery of the discussions.
Society removes God from our public institutions and from our public discourse and we seem to be shocked when we see a downward spiral in behavior. When relativism becomes the dominant driving force behind our moral decisions we cannot help but experience a decline in upright and moral behavior. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” We choose to ignore that reality at our own peril. When “Truth” becomes whatever we say it is, we are in for a long, hard road ahead.
As we near the end of another 40 Days for Life campaign, this most recent school attack is a sober reminder that we have allowed a culture of death to permeate every fabric of our society. If we are okay with the legalized killing of innocent unborn children, and people like Nancy Pelosi are honored for protecting this “sacred ground” of killing, why are we surprised when human life has such little value in other venues as well?
People of faith need to pray with their whole heart, mind, soul, and strength for a spiritual awakening and renewal of the citizens of this nation. We also need to be actively involved in shaping the public discourse in our communities. Sitting on the sidelines and choosing to not get involved is unacceptable. We have a responsibility to be beacons of light in a world of darkness. Let us be proactive in creating a culture of life instead of constantly picking up the pieces of grief after these horrible experiences of the culture of death.
Our prayers go out to the families affected by this most recent tragedy. May each of you be blessed with strength, courage, and healing!