Without a vision the people lose restraint, but happy the one who follow instruction. Proverbs 28:19 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
The footnotes state “Vision” and “instruction” mean authoritative guidance for the community. People are demoralized without credible leadership.
As of this Monday, there have been 252 shootings resulting in 98 deaths and 197 injuries. Two years ago, in the United States 51,819 shootings took place with 12,590 were killed and 23,025 injured. Last year, 53,301 shootings took place, 13,433 died and 27,016 were injured.
www.gunviolencearchive.org/last-72-hours
These are not merely numbers; they are parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers. Thru out our country, people are being injured and dying as the result of gun violence. What voices were heard last week, year and over 2,000 years ago?
John Lewis, Georgia 5th District
(c) 2016, John M. Kiingery
A notable voice was Rep. John Lewis, Georgia 5th district he began the protest in the House of Representatives –
“We have lost hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence, tiny little children, babies, students and teachers, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence, tiny little children, babies, students and teachers, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, friends and neighbors . And what has this body done? Mr. Speaker, nothing. Not one thing. We have turned a deaf ear. We have turned deaf ears to the blood of the innocent and the concern of our nation.”
Full speech video –
Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin 1st District
(c) 2016, John M.Kingery
Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin 1st district and speaker of the House, was one of many voices in opposition. “This is nothing more than a publicity stunt.” He shut off cameras and then called the House back into session at 2:45 am on Thursday morning. Speaker Ryan dressed in opened the session, but did not remain, instead he left the chamber. Then Steve Womack, Arkansas 3rd district, serving as speaker pro tempore dressed in white eventually closed ended the session. Night had become day; black had become white.
Steve Womack, Arkansas 3rd district
(c) 2016, John M. Kingery
Nine months earlier, another individual dressed in white was speaking from the rostrum of the House. That individual was Pope Francis. Speaking to the joint session of Congress, he asked a question and gave an honest answer about the selling of deadly weapons. There is a global arms trade, but also a national arms trade.
Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade.” Pope Francis, Address to the Joint Session, September 23, 2015.
As believers and people of good will, we can no longer be indifferent. “Indifference and lack of commitment constitute a grave dereliction of the duty whereby each of us must work in accordance with our abilities and our role in society for the promotion of the common good, and in particular for peace, which is one of mankind’s most precious goods.” Pope Francis, World Day of Peace 2016
Christ Hands Outstretched – St. Pius X
(c) John M. Kingery 2015 All Rights Reserved
When Jesus was being arrested in the garden, what did He say? Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Matthew 26:52
Contact your elected officials, religious leaders to provide leadership. Talk to family, friends and neighbor about heeding the call to put the swords (guns) away. We need common sense responses, not fear and hate driven stockpiling of arms!
Peace,
John Kingery