Time for hope and healing

Those of us who live in the Hot Springs area cannot help but be aware of the numerous incredibly ugly comments, seen on Little Rock TV news channels and on various outlets of social media, directed at both the mother and father of the child who died after being left in a hot car. More barbs are being sent the father's way because he is the one who forgot his child, and apparently because he is a sitting judge. A number of people have asked me to help them with a way to respond to the vitriol, and perhaps also to suggest what Jesus might say to those uttering despicable things at this time of pain and suffering.

I will give you my thoughts, but first let me say that there seems to be two general themes to these comments. On the one hand, we have parents who say they would never leave their children in a car, which then is often, but not always, followed by varying degrees of contempt directed toward our grieving family. On the other hand, there are people who simply are filled with venom and feel no punishment for the parents is strong enough, and whatever it is, it should have already begun.

To the first group, let me say that actually this particular accident, which happens in the United States 25-30 times per year, is no respecter of gender, race, social position, age or any other category you may name. It can indeed happen to any of us. If you feel this way, I urge you to read an article titled "Fatal distraction," which can easily be found on the Internet. This article will offer you some insight into the reality of how and to whom this tragedy happens. Oh yes, all of us are capable of this accident, as hard as it may be to believe.

To the second group, as far as I know, I do not know any of them. These seem to be people who perhaps distrust all of government, especially law enforcement, or who find glee in important people experiencing tragedy, or who are politically motivated, or who knows what else might motivate hate at a time like this. Let me be clear about this; you have, of course, every right to express your opinion, but I also have every right to refute it. And further, I want to say to those throughout our country who are following this sad story, these people are a distinct minority and in no way represent the feelings of the vast majority of the people of Hot Springs. We are a community living with grief, sadness and pain, while offering our love, support and prayers for peace and healing to the family.

What would Jesus say? I'm not sure, of course, but here is a possibility. First, he would be OK I think with our anger at the people spewing venom. He was, according to Mark's Gospel (Mark 3:5), angry at people when they tried to stop him from healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus was, in fact, angry and frustrated times too numerous to address here. Instructive for us, however, is that he always turned his anger into healing and the bringing about of the Reign of God, rather than lashing out at his opponents.

There is an occasion similar to this that seems particularly applicable to our situation now. An angry crowd brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in adultery. Rather than condemning her or the crowd, he knelt down, wrote something in the dirt, and asked for the person without sin to throw the first stone. He might say now, today, that those who are perfect, please be the first to condemn this family and those charged with investigating the case. Like the people in John's Gospel (John 8), all of them would turn away and try to get their house in order before judging others. We, like Jesus, even though angry, must try to be people of healing and love in the face of these vile comments.

The tragedy and the responses I have addressed here have caused a great deal of pain in our community. We at St. Luke's want to attempt to help with the healing process. In that vein, we are opening our church at 6 p.m. today for a community service of hope and healing. Please join us. In preparation for being with us, let me leave you something to think and pray about. St. Paul said, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ... No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17; 20-21).

The Rev. CB Baker is pastor at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Editorial on 07/30/2015

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