After waking up this morning in Chicago, flying across the country, and then having lunch in the San Francisco Bay Area, my wife and I were marveling at modern technology. If one so desired, one could actually eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in 3 different parts of the country all in one day! Within 30 minutes of being back home, we began hearing of the news coming from Boston. About the time we were landing on the West Coast, a couple of bombs were detonated at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in Copley Square. It seemed there was more than one device and the news media outlets were reporting that it was a coordinated attack. There are still no definitive answers about whether it was domestic or international terrorists at work. By late this afternoon, CNN was reporting that of two people who died, one was an 8 year old boy.
Like most people, I could hear my breath intake sharpen and feel the twist in my gut when I read that a child had died. For many people this event today will have the effect of being grabbed the ankles and thrown back through the atmosphere to 9/11. Heads shake in disbelief. Praying people get on their knees even if it is not habit. Rosary people pull out their beads and get to work. People find themselves muttering and talking to their computer screens or tv screens or handheld devices. No one can believe it. How could this have happened again on our soil?
If there is one thing we learned from 9/11, it is to not jump to conclusions before we know the facts. This is not a time to assume Islamic fundamentalists are behind the attack. It could just as well be one of the hundreds of home-grown terrorists we have who live on compounds with stockpiled ammunition and weapons and a hatred of the government. What we need in the coming days are level heads and compassionate hearts. What we do not need are knee jerk reactions and a desire to get revenge even if we can’t get to the people who did it.
As I contemplate how many people’s lives have been drastically changed today, I pray that each one impacted will use this experience to work for peace in the world and to try harder to see good in every person. Today is a reminder to those of us living in the United States that 8 year olds are dying every day around the world. Many are dying because of war and violence. Many others are dying because of gun violence on our city streets that is out of control. Many are dying because of extreme hunger and poverty. We can’t save the life of the 8 year old boy who died today in Boston. But we can save the lives of the countless other 8 year olds around the world and on our streets who are dying.
May we each pray for peace and healing and then live for peace and healing.