I haven’t been posting lately…..this blog is both a blessing and sometimes, if I am honest, a burden. I don’t even know if anyone is following anymore, but I felt the urge to write tonight because maybe it will help me to process this terrible tragedy that occurred just a few miles from my own home.
The last time I saw the field that the news crews are occupying 24 hours a day was when I was sitting on the sidelines watching my son play soccer there. The last time I was in Newtown was to buy a delicious cake at a small market there in the center of town. The last time I was at St. Rose Church was to visit my friend who works in the religious ed. office. The last time I was in Sandy Hook was to dine at a quaint little restaurant there. And….the last time I saw a second grade student who attends Sandy Hook Elementary School was this past Sunday when her mom told me that she really isn’t talking much, but has drawn some pictures of guns.
Yesterday I had to teach about 160 students in grades 4-6 and then about 60 8th graders later in the evening. At first I thought that I wouldn’t address any of this, being conscious of the fact that each family deals with their children in their own way. But then, I thought…..let the children speak….where other than Church should this be discussed? I told my catechists that if it came up in the classroom to keep it brief, discuss free will and always bring it back to the faith. We have no answers, never will in this lifetime, but as a community of love and faith, we can find some comfort and solace in the Lord who is in the midst of it all.
The younger ones didn’t want to really speak about it…..at the end of the classes we formed a large circle of ‘love’ and said a prayer to send to our friends in the next town over. The 8th graders wanted to talk a bit more. We discussed our own responsibilities and that in every action there is a choice – a choice to build up or to tear down. Not one of our students asked why ‘God did this’ – I pray it is because they understand and trust that God doesn’t do this, I’d like to think it is!
So, where do we go from here? Our Youth Minister who lives in Sandy Hook asked me today, “Don’t you think that this is being covered just a little bit differently than the other tragedies? Don’t you think that there is more talk of faith?” Oh, I pray that there is…..Jesus said, ‘Let the little children lead…’ Maybe we can let these children lead us back to our core, to the only thing that makes any sense in the midst of this horrific event. We are the children of a great and loving God, a God who suffers with us, a God who is present to us, with us and in us. A God who came to this earth out of this unconditional love so that we can be united in every way. A God who shares our grief, compassion, our tears and our sorrow.
We know…..we read it in Scripture…….”Jesus Wept”
Reflections on the Journey 
Andie, you have been missed; in fact about ten minutes before I received the email notification of this post, I had checked your website to see if I had missed anything.
This is a tragedy beyond belief and for which there are no easy words. Thank you for sharing your perspective with us. We who are at a distance will continue to pray but you are the hands of Christ in this situation as you are right there to give comfort.
Thank you Lynda. I know that we all feel the pain, far or near. These children belong to all of our hearts.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection, Andie. I’m glad you were able to find the time to post something. Like Lynda stated, “you have been missed.”
Andie, as you know, I have been thinking of you. The image of the circle of love, sending prayers both breaks and heals my heart – but mostly heals! God bless you, God have mercy on us all.