What Are We Becoming?

This past weekend, I offered the following comments on the assassination attempt on former President Trump. I have received much appreciation for those comments, so I offer them now in written form for our website. 

To begin, I ask that the following statement not be interpreted as either a “for or against” statement toward Democrats or Republicans. I tend to be a “politically neutral” priest since there are things I both appreciate and dislike about each political party. What I am about to share is simply a human reflection on a tragic situation. 

Saturday night after the 5:00pm Mass, I learned of the assassination attempt on the life of Donald Trump. I grieved to hear that an innocent bystander died in the shooting. I was thankful when I heard that Donald Trump and others who were injured did not perish in this assassination attempt. Acts of such violence in any situation are never justified. 

Since this occurred during a political rally, there are several volatile implications both locally and internationally. In addition to the impact this situation has on victims and their families, there are very real political, security and stability consequences for society. This can cause our hearts to become troubled as an American people. 

My heart is troubled. My heart is afraid. I am not troubled about who will win a political election in the fall. I am not afraid of one political party rising to power over another. I am afraid of a far more fundamental reality: What are we becoming as a people when such occurrences are becoming more common place? 

I invite all of us to prayer for Donald Trump and his recovery. Pray for the man who lost his life and for his family. Pray for those who have been wounded. And pray that the seeds of violence and discord that are becoming more prevalent in society may give way to Christ’s healing and peace. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” These words of Jesus from the 14th Chapter of John remind us that when we feel afraid and trouble to turn to Christ. May we all turn to Christ is this moment of tragedy. May we pray that Christ’s peace may reign in our heart and our world. And let us pray that the violence and divisiveness in our country give way to unity and peace. Peace that is found in God alone. 

-Father James