George Floyd and the tragedy of these days

What happened to George Floyd is tragic and inexcusable. This should not happen to any person in our country.  Every citizen in our nation should be outraged by his death.  We mourn the loss of a human life that could have been prevented.  We pray for his eternal rest and our hearts and prayers go out to the members of Mr. Floyd's family. We pray that God will bring consolation, strength and healing to their broken hearts and lives. 

We do not know what happened that day to lead a member of law enforcement to do what appears to be a cruel action directly causing a man's death.  We do not know what was in the police officer's mind and heart that led him to take those actions.  He will need to answer for his actions and face the penalties of law if convicted and ultimately answer to God.  It is a foundational principle of our justice system that a person is innocent until proven guilty.   The police officer has already been arrested and charged in this case and we must allow him his rights to have the case adjudicated according to the rule of law.  This takes time and those so deeply wounded and affected by this tragedy must rely on the civility of our legal system to bring justice in this case.  We do know that there are bad apples in every profession who must be rooted out; but the vast overwhelming majority of the men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day for our safety and well-being.  They too are outraged by what has taken place and our hearts go out to them as well in this tragedy.

What we can condemn in moments like this are senseless acts of violence and hatred of any kind.  We should all be outraged, at times like this, to see the expressions of hatred and bigotry that are shamefully and sadly emerging around our country.  Racism is a sin; it is a core evil that destroys our fundamental belief as Christians that each and every person is created in the image and likeness of God himself.  We are all equal in dignity, brothers and sisters to one another in Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of God destined for glory.   Christians must always condemn prejudice, intolerance, and hate.  As believers, we must always work to build a world that loves others, seeks the unity of God's people and cares deeply for the welfare of every person around us.  What a difference we can make if we strive to live what we truly believe.

What is not acceptable, however, in any form is for people to take justice into their own hands.  It is equally as shameful and shocking to see the eruption of hatred, violence, destruction of property and attacks on our law enforcement taking place around the nation.  It may speak to the desolation and anger in people's hearts for what has happened to George Floyd, but these kinds of actions are always and everywhere wrong and evil.   Everyone in our country has the right to protest injustice.  We have the freedom to make our voices heard.  We can march and demonstrate for our rights.  But we must do it peacefully, within the confines of the law.  It is shameful and tragic, as well, to see some turn these protests into acts of violence and destruction.   No one has the right to destroy property, to loot, to steal and to burn.   It is shameful to see the members of our law enforcement community so brutally attacked, harmed and even killed by those who have decided that violence is the answer.  Those who wreak such havoc must face the same call to justice.  It is a foundational Catholic moral principle that the ends do not justify the means.  Law enforcement and government authority has the right and the duty to push back and to protect citizens and private property from those inciting violence.

From President Trump on down the line, our government leaders have condemned what has taken place and have called for justice and calm.   Our Church leaders are asking that those protesting do so peacefully and civilly.  We are nation built on the principles of life, liberty and justice for all.  What makes our nation great is our unity, our respect for each other, our tolerance and our ability to live together in peace with people of every race, ethnicity, and religion.  There is tremendous sadness in our hearts as we mourn the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd.  There is sadness as we watch people turn violent and destructive and harm the lives of others.  But we stand committed, through God's grace, in our common goal to restore unity and peace in our community and in our nation. We must always build up in love and never tear down in hatred the human family. We pray with confidence to the Prince of Peace knowing His power to restore what has been torn asunder. That is the only response that true, believing Christians can give.

Bishop Zubik has asked that we pray this prayer:

Wake Me Up Lord

Wake me up Lord, so that the evil of racism finds no home within me. 

Keep watch over my heart Lord, and remove from me any barriers to your grace.

Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give services of justice and peace.

Clear my mind Lord, and use it for your glory.

And finally, remind me Lord that you said “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”  Amen.