Finding Faith ... in being able to lament our inaction on gun violence

Luke Harold, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

I've written about gun violence on more than one occasion in my weekly newspaper column called "Finding Faith," which publishes in about a dozen and a half newspapers in the Upper Midwest.

And while the first column drew more than a dozen emails in response, a few taking me to task for daring to point out America's obsession with guns, the second column drew one written and mailed response. One!

The columns were published only a year and a half apart, and in that time frame, even the readers of my newspaper column had become more apathetic about gun violence in America. I can't tell you how devastating this is to me as a parent and as a pastor.

Yesterday, a 67-year-old college professor shot and killed three people on the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus, and it was a blip on the media radar. Even more staggering, the shooting was the 80th school shooting THIS YEAR(!), making this a record year for schools shootings since the Gun Violence Archive and others started tracking in 2008.

2023 has now surpassed last year which held the record of 79 school shootings, which was more than the previous record in 2021 which saw 73 school shootings.

The statistics show us that we have experienced a steadily rising string of school shootings each year since 2013, with the exception of 2020. ... That's right, it took a pandemic shutting down our schools to keep our kids safer from gun violence.

I mean, how shameful and heartbreaking is that!

I am praying again for the victims of this latest shooting at UNLV, but I can see why some on the progressive side of politics laugh at those of us who offer up prayers as kids continue to get mowed down by guns. A lot of good it seems to be doing the kids attending our schools. They're dying in record numbers anyway.

But, I know not what else to do; so I offer up prayer, specifically prayers of lamentation, just as our ancient faith elders did ...

"Lord, please forgive us as we know not what we do. Please send your heavenly angels to protect our children where you can. And please continue to soften the hearts of those who place gun ownership over the safety of America's students. ... Amen."

I am also praying for the wisdom to know how to make a difference. The letter writer that I mentioned above, who wrote me a physical letter after the column in October after the shootings in Maine, suggested that as a pastor, I could help found an organization that would advocate for stricter gun enforcement. I was flattered, but I know that's not my skillset.

And so, for now, while I continue to pray for guidance on how to contribute to the fight against more gun violence, I also will continue to pray for the families who become victims of a nation that does not care. I know it's not enough, but for now it's what I can do.

Lord, please be with all of the loved ones of yesterday's shooting victims at UNLV. Send the Holy Spirit to wrap them in peace, love and healing. ... Amen.