Abp. Listecki on Newtown tragedy

This year, there will be 26 unopened Christmas gifts in Newtown, Connecticut. Christmas gifts are meant to bring smiles and represent how special family and friends are in our lives. Many give a great deal of thought to a gift, trying to fulfill some personal desire. Many parents of young children start collecting gifts early and cleverly hide those wrapped Christmas gifts, so that “Santa” will have them ready to place under the Christmas tree. It’s a wonder to watch the excitement on a Christmas morning as wrappings and boxes are torn asunder to shouts of glee. So, it is sad to see a gift not opened. Its potential for joy remains locked within the unopened package.

Twenty-six lives that were God’s gifts to the world will never be opened to their full human potential. Family, friends and society have been denied the enjoyment of what they had to offer, as they would have continued to open the gift of their lives. These lives have been taken from us by a senseless act of violence, inflicted upon the most innocent among us. Our hearts ache for the parents, the friends and the community.

In the age in which we live, we are often defined by our differences and polarized by our politics. However, a tragedy such as this paradoxically brings us together, brings us closer, for our hearts acknowledge that these victims are our children, our teachers and our friends. In solidarity, we realize that we are members of one human community.

Many will attempt to try to understand the motivation that drove the perpetrator to act. We certainly need to explore the various factors that may have contributed to this horrendous act, this culture of violence that seems so easily chosen by some. Yet, at the same time, we need to recognize the humanity that joins us together and offers us hope in the midst of our struggles.

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