The tragedy that befell Orlando has been like concentric rings ever widening, every circle to encompass an entire nation. They say it’s the largest mass shooting in our nation’s history. It’s easy to get caught by the number. But that is 50 names, 50 faces, 50 lives with stories to tell. We can’t tie it up with an insular ribbon and let us once more sterilize it into a statistic as horrific as that is.
A gathering of 60 people formed community at Pine Valley Sunday night. Sponsored by GLSEN and hosted by Pine Valley, people trickled in. Some unsure, especially those who have been away from church for a long time. People gathered to grieve, to pray, to share pain, perhaps find comfort, some to begin healing. The emotion was palpable – tears were shed and several stood to share thoughts, prayers, poems, words, emotion. One woman expressed her fear for her community. Who will it be next? Another shared in poem the feeling of the day. By the service end over 50 candles were lit – sharing the light and hope of God in great darkness. What they found, as one young man expressed was sanctuary – a safe place.
I am reminded at this sad time of a conversation that takes place at the end of the movie “Lord of the Rings” between Frodo and Samwise.
FRODO: I can’t do this, Sam.
SAM: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened.
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
FRODO: What are we holding on to, Sam?
SAM: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Carolyn