We all have read the news of the tragic shooting at the school Mass of
Annunciation Church and School in Minnesota this week. Our hearts are heavy
and we pray for the children who died, those who were injured, and for their
families and community. The pain and loss they are experiencing is unimaginable.
In moments like this, we find ourselves asking: Why, Lord? Why do you allow
such suffering? While we cannot fully understand the mystery of evil, we look at
Christ’s extreme suffering and death on the Cross, which he freely embraced out
of love for us: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends” (John 15:13).
Even from the Cross, Jesus cried out: “Father, forgive them; for they know
not what they do” (Luke 23:34). His example shows us that in the face of pain, we
are called to trust in God’s love and mercy. Now I think of the children who died
at Annunciation Church and School, imitating Jesus Christ in giving their lives.
Pope Leo—after commending “the souls of the deceased children to the love
of Almighty God” and praying for the wounded and for the first responders,
medical personnel, and clergy affected—imparted his apostolic blessing “as a
pledge of peace, fortitude, and consolation in Christ.”
So, while we increase our vigilance and security here at St. Mary of the
Angels—our security officers now escort students to and from school for school
Masses and remain stationed outside the church during Mass—as believers, we
don’t fear death but see it as our passage to heaven and eternal life with God,
where we will be reunited with the people we love. We entrust those children to
the Lord’s care, confident that they are safe with him. We also trust in God’s
justice and mercy, which extend far beyond this life and finds true fulfillment in
the next. As St. Paul reminds us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good” (Romans 12:21).
As we carry this sorrow in our hearts, let us also lead our families and those
around us with peace, prayer, and mercy—children learn more by example than by
words, more from how we respond than from what we say. If we are prayerful,
merciful, and hopeful, our children will grow to be the same; if we are overly
anxious, worried, or angry, our children will be too. So let us lead the way—our
young people are counting on us.
May our family meals and family prayer unite us in prayer—for those who
died, for those who mourn, and for all who carry brokenness and pain in their
lives. May our homes and our parish always be places of love, healing,
forgiveness, and hope.
