Let us pray for the families and children of Newtown

The usual, opportunistic rush to blame, regulate, inveigh, and demonize is in full swing in the wake of the horrible, evil massacre in Newtown CT.

I will have no part in it.

Yesterday’s horror is incomprehensible for every parent in America. Their grief is harrowing.

The dead and the talking heads themselves are dishonored by their filling the public airwaves with endless talk of gun control and government solutions; all of which diminish our freedoms and directly contradict the intent of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This is not the time for political noise. Rather, it is a time for compassion and introspection.

All those who are polluting the public airwaves with the usual talking points about gun control and government solutions dishonor the dead and themselves. This is not a time for political noise. It’s a time for compassion and reflection.

There’s nothing more we can offer than heartfelt prayer for all the families, the school staff, and the innocent children who were murdered, injured, and outraged by a psychotic man devoid of respect for life.

One of the most moving stories of heroism involved the music teacher who hid her students in a closet and prayed with them in whispers to keep them calm.

Faith has come under fire so frequently in the schools. Yet, under fire, it is faith that sustains eternally. One must remember at such times that God allows evil things to happen that good may come of it; just as from a dunghill the best of good things sometimes sprout.

Consider:

Had someone on staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School been armed, the massacre might not have happened there. You may recall that the shooter in Aurora CO considered other theatres in the area that were playing The Dark Knight Rises before he settled on the one where he committed the heinous massacre of some many innocent people. It appears he chose that particular theatre because it was the only one that did not allow even patrons with valid Colorado concealed weapons permits to bring their weapons into the theatre.

Matt. 2: 16-20 (Douay-Rheims) 16Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: 18A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 19But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, 20Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child.

Matt. 5:41-45 (D-R) 41And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two, 42 Give to him that asketh of thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away. 43You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. 44But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: 45That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.

Psalm 33:18 (LXX) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and He will save the humble of spirit.

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Source: USA Today

The names and birth dates of the victims:
Charlotte Bacon (2/22/06), 6 years old, female
Daniel Barden (9/25/05), 7 years old, male
Rachel Davino (7/17/83), Staff member, 29 years old, female
Olivia Engel (7/18/06), 6 years old, female
Josephine Gay (12/11/05), 7 years old, female
Ana M. Marquez-Greene (4/4/06), 6 years old, female
Dylan Hockley (3/8/06), 6 years old, male
Dawn Hochsprung (6/28/65), Principal, 47 years old, female
Madeleine F. Hsu (7/10/06), 6 years old, female
Catherine V. Hubbard (6/8/06), 6 years old, female
Chase Kowalski (10/31/05), 7 years old, male
Nancy Lanza, 52 years old, female (mother of shooter Adam Lanza)
Jesse Lewis (6/30/06), 6 years old, male
James Mattioli (03/22/06), 6 years old, male
Grace McDonnell (11/4/05), 7 years old, female
Anne Marie Murphy (7/25/60), Staff member, 52 years old, female
Emilie Parker (05/12/06), 6 years old, female
Jack Pinto (05/05/06), 6 years old, male
Noah Pozner (11/20/06), 6 years old, male
Caroline Previdi (9/07/06), 6 years old, female
Jessica Rekos (5/10/06), 6 years old, female
Avielle Richman (11/17/06) 6 years old, female
Lauren Rousseau (June 1982), Staff member, 30 years old, female
Mary Sherlach (2/11/56), Staff member, 56 years old, female
Victoria Soto (11/04/85), Staff member, 27 years old, female
Benjamin Wheeler (09/12/06), 6 years old, male
Allison N. Wyatt (07/03/06), 6 years old, female

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Let us remember in our prayers: the slain, their families, the school staff, the shooter, his mother, and all of us who were affected by this massacre.