“Thoughts and Prayers” (08/29/2025)

We have all seen the news of the senseless and horrific violence committed against a Catholic School community in Minneapolis, gathered for a Mass their first week back at school. We have heard the authorities speak of the casualties and victims of the hateful shooting. We have seen footage of families looking for their children and of children distraught by their experience. And most of us don’t know what to do. We want to do something to help. We want to do something to convey to those so hurt that they are not alone.

Many in the first few hours of the evolving situation expressed their loving concern for the victims as well as the survivors and the community as a whole. “Thoughts and prayers” were frequently mentioned as individuals reached out. We all understand, we’ve all experienced that sense of pure helplessness in the midst of great suffering. What can we do that will ease the pain? What can we say that will bring sense to the senseless?

But then this evening, when I turned on the news, I discovered that some were mocking the outreach expressed in the simple message of “Thoughts and Prayers”, and I was so saddened by this. We must find a way to set down the divisive conversation, the back and forth between the polarized groups, the fault finding especially in times like these. We must understand that we cannot surrender to the destruction of community intended by the senseless and hateful acts, and we especially cannot contribute to it.

Our LORD calls us to be united, not in spite of our diversity but actually because of our diversity and through our diversity, bringing gifts from every corner, gifts that cover every need, gifts that touch every culture, gifts that strengthen us in those moments when we feel our most vulnerable. When we offer “Thoughts and prayers,” we are telling the other that we are carrying with us an awareness of their struggle, pain, and loss and in our own helplessness we are taking it to our LORD who alone can guide us, strengthen us, comfort us.

The critics are suggesting that instead of “Thoughts and prayers”, actions should have been promised. And as I watch the news, I see lots of action that has been taken by those offering “Thoughts and prayers.” Special forces were sent to investigate, to seek answers. Special forces were sent to comfort, counsel, and tend to those so horribly impacted by this horrific deed. And I wonder what action the critics have taken to ease the pain or address the cause.

In a way, the critics are right. There is an ancient African proverb that says when one prays, one should move one’s feet. The point is that one should not just pray to the LORD but be willing to listen to the LORD and do what the LORD calls one to do and go where the LORD sends one. As we lift our “thoughts and prayers” for the victims and survivors of this horrific act and the community forever impacted, are we asking the LORD for guidance as to how we can be the shoulder they need to lean on, the ear they need to hear their cries, the eyes they need to see their emptiness, the heart they need to feel their pain. Do we ask the LORD for answers so that we can stop senseless suffering like this in the future?

The horrific action of an angry and hate-filled individual will continue to be the news for a few more days at least.  How will we look on? Will we hold these victims and survivors in our thoughts? Will we lift them and their needs up to the LORD? Will we move our feet as we pray and seek ways to physically, spiritually and emotionally accompany them in their grief and confusion and pain?

“Thoughts and prayers” are at times our human responses to inhuman situations, to those times when everyone is searching and no one has answers. We would make the world a better place to our LORD’s praise and glory if when evil visits us and wounds us we turn to the only One who offers us “the way and the truth and the life” rather than turning on one another.

“Thoughts and prayers” to all of you whom I know are reeling as am I to the unnecessary suffering, to the evil in our world that seeks to hurt the innocent, and to anything that would divide us now in a time when we so need to act as one – one family of God.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.