“Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble” — Proverbs 24:17
“As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live” — ...Ezekiel 33:11
“As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live” — ...Ezekiel 33:11
After the fall of the towers almost 10 years ago, I remember watching clips of extremist Muslims celebrating their "victory." I was sickened. I could not believe other human beings could actually rejoice at such a tragedy no matter what their religious or political views. They were thrilled and happy and dancing in the streets.
I felt a little of that yesterday as I watched news clips of people rejoicing in the death of an enemy.... thrilled... happy... celebrating. Really?
You all know that I am married to a military man. I am not a pacifist. I understand the need to capture of kill Osama bin Laden. And I am relieved that he no longer has the power to unleash his hatred upon us. And I understand celebrating a victory. It is even necessary that our military in particular celebrate this victory. And I understand the grief of those that lost loved ones on that tragic day. But our celebration should be a quiet, solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives and the actions that made this military response necessary.
This military victory is different from most in that it involved the death of one specific person.... it wasn't a hill captured or an arsenal bombed or a plot thwarted. It was a specific person killed. I have no love for this person except in the fact that he was indeed a person and a child of God. He now has to face God and be judged for his actions.
To celebrate death, even of someone who has hurt so many, is to be like those who danced at the fall of the towers. It is hate being multiplied by hate. We must not fall victim to it. If we do, it is the terrorists who actually win.
Our Bishop Mark Hanson said it brilliantly:
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
The death of Osama bin Laden is an occasion for solemn remembrance. We remember the lives of all whose deaths resulted from his choosing hatred and violence. We stand with those who continue to mourn the death of loved ones while giving thanks for their lives, their love and their faith. We also continue to hold in prayer all whose service in the military, in government and in humanitarian and peacemaking activities contribute to a safer and more prosperous world.
At the same time we also recall who we are: people baptized into Christ, freed to serve our neighbors. We are people called as Christ’s ambassadors of reconciliation with our neighbors, serving God’s work of restoring community. We engage our neighbors of other faiths, including our Muslim neighbors near and far, in respectful, searching dialogue and shared commitment to build a world that reflects God’s will for peace with justice. We pray for our neighbors, even those who are our enemies.
Most of all, in these 50 days of celebrating Christ’s resurrection, joy finds its fullest and deepest expression not over a human death but in God’s promise to unite all things in heaven and on earth, to reconcile the human family and to bring God’s reign of peace. Confident in what God has promised, we witness our resolve against any act of violence in the name of religion and our renewed commitment of service to the neighbors and world God so deeply loves.
In God’s grace,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lord God,
When our hearts have been hurt so badly, it is very difficult for us not to rejoice in the death of those who caused it. Help us to answer hate with love and bring your light into every darkness. Amen.
Joys: Fun plans with Cecelia today; car's sunroof fixed; the month of May
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