Many have blogged and spoken about the Newtown massacre this past weekend and Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick's sermon is probably one of the better sermons that I've encountered concerning the tragedy: http://roadsfromemmaus.org/
I was most touched by Abouna's mention of life and the endurance of love:
"The truest answer to violence is love. The truest answer to death is life. The only prevention for violence is for the heart to have no violence within it. We can legislate all we like, but the violent heart will still find a weapon and the opportunity to use it. We cannot prevent evil through any system devised by mankind. But we can grapple with evil and defeat it, but only with love—real love, too, not just some sentimental feeling, but self-sacrifice. Those women who died with those children demonstrated love. In that moment when they chose to give their lives for the children in their care, it did not matter if they had happy feelings about them—probably some of those kids annoyed them on one day or another. What mattered was the act, the act of defeating death with life. Christ said, “Greater love hath no man than this, than that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)."
I am humbled and awed by the courage of these beautiful women who risked their lives and died to save their students. This past weekend my heart has been singing "axia" for these women and all women, all mothers (whether biological or spiritual) who like the Theotokos are bearers of Love.
I am also increasingly aware of the honor of the presence of Children. Children (whether born, aborted or unborn): wonderful persons fashioned in the image and likeness of Christ, who are the fruit of love and who bring love by their very presence, their very being.
I am also increasingly aware of the honor of the presence of Children. Children (whether born, aborted or unborn): wonderful persons fashioned in the image and likeness of Christ, who are the fruit of love and who bring love by their very presence, their very being.
May children continue to grow in that love, and may we 'adults' always remember the precious love of children of whom the Kingdom of heaven belongs.
