by Dave Weidlich at Penngrove Community Church where I served as guest preacher, August 4, 2019.

We went to bed grieving 20 dead and 26 more injured in El Paso TX, the victims of one shooter with an assault rifle on a six minute rampage in a Walmart. We woke up to news of yet another mass shooting, this one in Dayton OH: 9 dead and 27 more injured at the hands of a single gunman in 60 seconds of terror. Last Sunday, one man with an assault rifle killed 4 and injured 12 in 60 seconds at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

One thing I love about America: We fix things. When we have societal problems, we don’t shrug our shoulders and say, “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it; that’s just the way it is.” No, we fix it.

There are political issues we the people must address as citizens. Democrats, Republicans, Independents – all are welcome in this church – and you’re welcome to disagree, but surely we can find agreement on a way to fix this mess. There are mental health issues. And there are spiritual and moral issues at play. And that’s where we Christians have a responsibility to learn, teach and lead.

We are followers of Jesus Christ, who said all the moral law boils down to just this: Love God, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. When questioned, Jesus made it clear to his Jewish audience that the hated Samaritans were neighbors. All people, regardless of their race or creed or social standing – we’re all neighbors and we are to love our neighbors.

How many of you grew up singing:

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world?

All races. And if Jesus loves the little children, women and men of all nations and all races, so do we. In Christ there is no distinction based on skin color. In Christ there is no Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free. We love all people as God loves all people. We have gotten away from these basic beliefs as a nation. And we, the followers of Christ, must lead us back.

Furthermore, we believe there is a heaven and a hell and unrepentant murderers go straight to hell. If love does not motivate you to lay down hatred, vile talk and weapons, let the fear of hell give you pause. Let God’s grace lead us to the way of love.

Prayer:

O Lord God in Heaven,

We come before you shocked and broken, hurting, grieving, without words to comfort those who have lost innocent sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, so suddenly, tragically, and without cause. Holy Spirit, come around those who grieve today. Surround them with your love and with loving friends who will sit with them and mourn with those who mourn. Give them your peace that surpasses all understanding. Give them strength to go forward, burying the dead and remembering their lives, healing the wounds and repairing the damage. Give them the grace to bring good out of horrific evil.

We give thanks for the sacrificial courage of first responders in Gilroy, Dayton and El Paso, friends and family members who prevented further damage, shielding others with their own bodies, neighbors providing hospitality and comfort to those fleeing in panic, officers of the law, neutralizing the shooter, paramedics, nurses and doctors, binding the wounds of those who were shot as well as those injured as they fled from danger.

We give thanks for next responders who will envelope grieving victims with love and good will, pastors and priests who will bury the dead and lead God’s people in mourning with those who mourn. Moral leaders and lawmakers who will make the changes we desperately need to minimize the evil and make America a safe land of the free.

Lord, Heal our land. Something is desperately wrong here and it has gone on too long. It’s infectious. It’s divisive. It’s evil. It is written:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

So, Lord, we humble ourselves. We seek your face. Show us our wicked ways from which we must turn. Speak to us from heaven. Forgive our sin. Show us the actions we should take as a nation and bring us together in unity and courage to make the changes that will make it safe to go to school or a food festival, a shopping center, restaurant or concert.  

Lord, heal our land. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.