The failure and necessity of words

This isn't meant to distract from our telling each other our stories. Please continue to share. But we also need to share in collective grief.

A student of mine said in class today, as we reflected on the horrific tragedy in Virginia, that he simply couldn't begin to understand how to begin to make sense of what happened. Sadly, we've been witness to too many of these kinds of acts that seems so absurdly senseless but that are also so painfully palpable.

For me, it's at times like these that Thomas's words of doubt in yesterday's Gospel reading seem most appropriate.

I cannot begin to know how those charged with helping people make sense begin to help those who want sense out of this tragedy. All I can do is to pray, tell God I'm distraught and angry, and see if God responds.

So, let's each send to God and to the students, faculty, staff, and their families of Virgina Tech their prayers. Father Jake begins us off:

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal
graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all
their care on you, they may know the consolation of your
love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What is your prayer? We'd like to pray with you.