IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray
# 227
March 24, 2016
“Good”
One day remains until Good Friday. Given the tenor of the times, it is hard for us to label much as “good.” Whether the countless Americans who dropped out of the workforce after trying month after month to land a job or the incipient, constant terrorist attacks worldwide, good is not the word that comes to mind.
However, even given current circumstances, we must focus on the good. We have become accustomed to evil. It gets the headlines. Sad as it is, bad news always commands attention — serving as much as a warning as a dissemination of important facts.
Tomorrow, when Christian worldwide turns their hearts and minds upon the Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, take time to internalize the important lessons of his life. He faced down evil. He did not flee in the face of danger. He encouraged all who listened to his message to approach life with energy, putting their lives in the hands of God.
Difficult? You bet. Few of us have equated modern life with that of Biblical times, yet stark parallels exist. The evil we face has a different name, different faces, and different weapons. Yet both share ugly similarities — forcible takeover of territory and peoples, constant threats, cruel and inhuman treatment, and public executions — making examples of innocents in order to terrorize to quell any form of retaliation.
The Bible is replete with battles between good and evil. We are in the midst of one today. As you take time to reflect on this series of three Holy Days, give thanks for your country and the protection it affords you. Do not ignore the specter of terrorism, but pray for divine guidance to those in charge. I remember the image of George Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge. Those of you with computers can search for the image. It will hold you spellbound, as well it should.
We need leaders of that same mindset. We are not in this alone.
As you take time to reflect on this series of three Holy Days, give thanks for your country and the protection it affords you. Do not ignore the specter of terrorism, but pray for divine guidance to those in charge.