Another Tragedy - Boston

I have been mulling over what occurred at the Boston Marathon earlier this week.  As details are emerging regarding what was used as the explosive device(s) it is all the more real that a human being was responsible for this - oh but WHY? 

As with any Tragedy in life we are always left with that feeling of WHY?  Often times the resolution that we seek will not be forthcoming. 

The first part of this week I have been traveling with a guy from Boston.  He had just found out what had occurred in his beloved city minutes prior to my meeting him in the hotel lobby.  He was visibly shaken and as his eyes darted back and forth it seemed like I could see his brain asking the why & who would do this questions.  I simply sat quietly and listened as he voiced his frustration, anger, fear, etc...What would/could I say to him?

I knew there were no words that could take his anxiety away and simply expressed my condolences for such a heinous act.

To hear/read about the lives of the 3 who have died, including 8 year old Martin Richard, is more than heart wrenching.   When life is lost for senseless acts, I am not sure there are any words that can dull the pain - time simply has to do it's job.  And sometimes time does not seem like enough...

When I speak to youth, I often tell them that building your faith is like working out.  You start small and increase the weight/intensity as time goes on.  We do this so when we need the strength/stamina of our bodies it is able to come through for us when we need it.  In times like these our faith must be strong to endure the many questions that plague our minds.

My prayers of healing and peace are with Boston and the surrounding community!

Blessings,
-d

P.s. I thought this blog was a nice way to summarize some of the Boston pastoral reactions - http://www.edstetzer.com/2013/04/tragedy-in-boston-reactions-fr.html

P.s.s I titled this "Another Tragedy" because I wrote a blog entry in December on the Sandy Hook shootings.  I realize there have been many tragedies (some not written about) but this is simply a point of reference.

2Corin 12: 9-10- " ⁹And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NKJV)