“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” –Mark 12: 30-31
The senseless violence and murder that was experienced at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg last week shocked our country. It was an act of terrorism that has no place in our world. After this terrible event took place, there has been a significant outpouring of love and kindness from around our country.
One of the most meaningful acts of love for the families of the Tree of Life Synagogue came from an unusual source. The Tree of Life families have received significant support from two Muslim-American organizations who have set-up and funded an account for these Jewish families. Within just a few hours of launching the fund, the page had raised $25,000.00. The fund is now containing over a quarter of a million dollars.
When asked why they were raising so much support, a representative said, “We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action.” What a wonderful testimony to mercy and love!
Each and every day people experience difficult, even terrible events. We pray for the day when peace is fully recognized and there is no more terrorism, no more violence. However, until that day comes, we must commit, as a people of faith, to love our neighbors. What we do matters. When we show mercy and kindness in the midst of the difficult moments of life we are honoring God and bringing peace in the midst of violent times.
Rev. Keith King
