My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

A word of caution.

One of our parishioners was assaulted and her pursed stolen after a young man wearing a blue hoodie shoved her to the ground (breaking her pelvis in the process). This happened in an Aldi parking lot on Federal Highway and, reportedly, it's not the first time the thief has struck.

Please be careful and aware of your surroundings, especially of people who can approach you from behind. Shopping with friends might be advisable, too.

We don't know the young man's motivation and state of mind. Is he motivated simply by greed and a desire to take rather than earn? Does he commit such crimes to support a substance abuse habit? Are there other reasons?

Whatever the reason, the culprit has chosen to favor self over other. He has chosen to harm and disadvantage another human being in pursuit of his goals. And he has chosen to act unlawfully, challenging and disrupting the norms of a functioning society.

We are indeed lambs among wolves. Even as we cry out for justice and restitution, however, we are not to sacrifice or ignore our Lord's commandment to love others as He loves us, to love even our enemies.

"Love" is often dismissed as a sentimental emotion, but agape love is perhaps better understood as a function of the Will to respect the dignity of every human being (and the consequences they suffer from their free choices), while wishing them well and doing what we can to help them when that help is wanted and requested.

It's not easy to sincerely to follow and emulate the authentic Jesus. Christians should not assert that we have all of the policy solutions. Part of loving and respecting others is recognizing that other voices can reveal or highlight alternatives, perhaps better ways. We need to get back to rational policy discussions in our society. Enough of the sound bites that demonize and divide.

There is no argument that there are real problems. There are a range of possible solutions, too. When debating the possibilities let's also give due weight to our values and how various policy options reflect the importance of those values. Individual, collective, and national character also matter.

Let's always include in our discussions these questions: Who are we? Who are we called to be? Do we become what we desire through one set of policies or another? Are we then striving to build healthy and holy character, respecting the dignity of every human being (including respect for the consequences one brings upon oneself by one's free choice)?

Each of us needs to be in the conversation.

In Christ's Love,
Mark Andrew+

"Anxiety weights down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).