Tragedy in Arizona

Today there has been a tragedy in Arizona. U.S. House Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot and wounded along with 10 or so others, and five people were killed, including a 9 year old girl and Federal Judge John Roll (Associated Press Article). This is a tragedy for Arizona and for the United States as a whole. However, we must not lose hope because of this. According to President Obama, Rep. Giffords was outside a grocery store meeting with the people she represents, getting their input on matters, etc. to do her job as a U.S. House Representative (Obama's Comments).

Her actions of being there for the people should be a sign of hope for us as a nation, but also for humanity. Rep. Giffords was being there for her neighbors, listening to them, in a day and age where this is not often done. Whether it be for professional or personal matters, listening to other people should be one of our top priorities, for without listening to to others we will not be able to form relationships, nor will we be able to be there for them in time of need. A common saying that I have heard many times is "There is a reason we have two ears and one mouth," in other words, we should listen twice as much as we talk. While there is reason for righteous anger here in this situation, I sincerely hope that we can take what has happened today and learn a valuable lesson from it: instead of venting our anger in unproductive ways, let us listen to others, as Rep. Giffords was doing, and in this way make our state, our country, and our world a better place. According to the First Amendment of our Constitution, here in America we have the freedom of speech. However, if there is no one listening, then the freedom of speech is pretty pointless. Let us help spread this freedom, this right, that we have here in America by practicing the part which often is forgotten: that in order for others to have this right, there must be people who are listening. Just as we can't grow as a nation without the representatives in Congress, the White House, or the Courts listening to the people, we can't grow as people unless we listen to others. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was the human mind and intellect. It was formed over many thousands of years observing, listening, and acting on what was learned through the observations made. God gave us all this invaluable gift of intellect: let us use it for the furthering of the good of humanity, listening to the needs of others and acting to help them as they need. Whether you go to serve or send aid to the needy and homeless in Haiti or simply listen to a friend in need, there are innumerable ways in which we can help others. Let us do so without fear, for God is with us, protecting us and giving us the strength we need to carry on.

As does often seem to be the case, the Liturgy of the Hours I think speaks to this very thought of God being with us as we serve our neighbors:

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles,

I take it you know what has been reported all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth, beginning in Galilee with the baptism John preached; of the way God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and Jerusalem. (Acts 10: 37-39)

"He went about doing good works and healing all  who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him." God was with Christ as He went about doing good works, and so God will be with us as we do good works in our lives.

"We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and Jerusalem." In order to be a witnesses of Christ as Luke is saying here, we have to act  as Christ did, helping other people. God will be with us: we have nothing to fear.

Again, from today's Evening Prayer:

O Lord our God, hear the cry of your people.
-O Lord our God, hear the cry of your people.
Open for them the spring of living water.
-Hear the cry of your people.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
-O Lord our God, hear the cry of your people.