Love Wins!

Most folks have heard about the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.  If you missed it, last Wednesday during a prayer meeting 21 year old Dylan Roof opened fire killing nine, including the pastor of the church.  Roof has said that his motivation was to start a race war in the United States.

The on-line response has been interesting, I have seen a number of Pastor’s forums discussing the need for their parishioners to be able to come to church armed, in order to defend themselves in similar circumstances.  Perhaps they missed the part where Jesus said “Turn the other cheek” and “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.”  Others have talked about the culture of violence and racial divide in the US that would allow incidents like this shooting to become more and more common.

But ultimately the voices that have been heard the loudest are the voices of the victims’ families. When Roof appeared in court just days after the shooting, family members were allowed to address the court and the accused.  And over and over again they echoed the same message, “We are hurting, but we forgive you.” 

And there is no answer to that, because ultimately: Love wins!  Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.