On January 8, 2011, Congressional Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head by a young man. Six others were shot and killed by this man, including a nine year old girl who went to the supermarket "Town Meeting" to witness politics in action.
There has been heated debate in Arizona over immigration reform. In March of this year, a glass window to Giffords' office was smashed in an act of vandalism, after passage of the Federal healthcare reform law which Rep. Giffords supported.
Her Republican challenger in the last election was quoted at a fundraiser as urging his followers to remove Giffords from office by joining him in firing an M-16 rifle (!!!)
I am ashamed to say that one of my first questions was, Is this Rep. Giffords a Republican or a Democrat?
DOES IT MATTER? As Rep. Boehner was quoted as saying, This is an attack on us all.
In this, one of the freest countries in the world, a healthy debate is welcomed. But I did not think we would ever again engage in what amounts to a war over caring for The Least Among Us.
In case you are quick to pass judgment, or to try to guess which side I am on, there are also reports that this shooter is struggling with mental instability.
Do we have it in our hearts to forgive his mental anguish?
A dear friend reminds me that there is a huge difference between justice (needing to be right) and mercy (showing compassion).
God, I pray for an abundance of compassion all around.
(c) The Spiritual Devotional 2011. All Rights Reserved.
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