O Lord of hosts, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made Heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:16
 
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. John 1:3
 
This week our hearts are hurting as we learn of another mass shooter who killed two children and wounded 18 other children and adults. It happened in Minneapolis as mass was being said at Annunciation Catholic Church. The shock, tears, anger, fear, and profound sorrow that mass shootings keep happening shakes our community, state, and nation. When it happens right here in our own community, the horror shakes us to the core. 
 
Where is God in all of this? God was with the young student who laid on top of his younger friend to shield him from attack, only to be wounded himself. God was with the students and staff who acted with dispatch to move students and parishioners to a safer place. God was with the first responders who entered a dangerous situation to help even as they faced danger. God was with the ones who held the grieving without saying a word. God was there when all many could see was a God who has to hear the cries of "Why! Why! Why!" God is with those helping the damaged souls who need counseling and a patient ear who hears their pleas for relief from their pain and suffering. 
 
We cannot understand now; we may not ever understand.The one constant in all of this is that God made Heaven and earth. He chose us to be his beloved children. God is the smallest sense of hope that helps us through suffering beyond our imaginations. God is our one hope when all else seems dark and beyond relief. 
 
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Thank you for your promise to always be waiting with open arms to take us in when we feel lost and far from any hope. Be with those who are suffering and in shock from the mass shooting in our community. Help those who have the power to make it difficult, yes, even impossible, for this to keep happening to use their power to pass laws to stop the seeming ease with which misguided souls can obtain weapons of mass destruction. We live in a world of beauty that you have provided for us. Help us to appreciate and use what we have for the good of ourselves and others. Amen.
 
Florence Smallfield      
Ministries
Teaching Mission Party