A Warning to All Americans
The Virginia Tech Tragedy
America is in a religious war. In a religious war, history tells us there are no victors, just copious amounts of blood and gore.
Shall we sit in our towers and ignore the fact that Virginia Tech was the scene of an act of religious war? Carrying on in the tradition of similar scenes in Iraq: the car bombs, the shootings and subsequent suicide of the killer, Cho Seung-Hui repeated all the elements of an attack as carried on in Iraq but on his fellow comrades in the University he attended. While it is evident that the tragedy at Virginia Tech was carried out by a mentally ill individual, (as the news media is telling us), it is not being said what would trigger such deplorable actions. It is, however, manifestly clear that the actions of Cho were clearly indicative of attacks that have been labeled Jihad in other situations.
The words of our Lord bring wisdom to this situation:
"Do not judge, that you be not judged, for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what punishments you inflict, it shall be adjudicated that you be punished in the same manner.
Why do you behold the speck that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the log that is in your own eye? How will you say to your brother, 'Let me pull out the speck from your eye'; and look, a log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first cast out the log from your own eye; and then you shall see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother's eye."
The eye, as mentioned in the context of this quotation, is both literal and metaphorical. The eye represents the lamp of our soul which is illuminated with truth, grace, mercy, and repentance by the One God of Israel, through His unselfish acts of charity for humankind. Just as we look before we walk to avoid stumbling, we survey our heart, before taking appropriate action. A guilty man cannot act as a judge over others, in the sense of perfect justice, because the guilty man lacks righteousness. There happens to be no man or woman living on this planet who is free of guilt of sin to some proportion, large or small. In fact, sin is not really large or small; it is just plain sin. A Holy God cannot tolerate sin of any kind. This is why we need Christ Jesus, Who is the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of those who believe on His Holy Name and who repent of their sins by action of charity directed toward both God and neighbor.
There is power in the weapon of peace, more so, than with any other weapon one can devise. If we abide in peace and charity, all war, all unrighteousness, all misery, all suffering will perish.
But, what do we do about acts of Jihad? The answer is not in committing murder, adding more acts of anger on top of other angers. An unforgiving heart is equally unrepentant. So, shall we put down our weapons of destruction and put on our weapons of peace? Otherwise, God will, in His Divine anger, deal with all of us. Our soul is illumined by Christ Jesus, who preaches that all can be redeemed through Grace and repentance.
There is a better message to the world: Peace be with you all in the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Body of Christ Jesus, who is our ONLY True God.
May the memories of all the brothers and sisters who died in the Virginia Tech tragedy be remembered in the Kingdom of Heaven, now and always. Eternal be their memory.
Lord, have mercy upon Cho Seung-Hui and all the rest of us sinners.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses (sins), as we forgive those who trespass (sin) against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Thine is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and forever, and from all Ages to all Ages. Amen.
Church Staff
