SubscribeRemaining faithful through tragedy
As the details of the tragic shooting at Fort Hood in Texas continue to unfold, the Army psychiatrist accused of the rampage that left 13 dead and 29 wounded remains alive iin a hospital bed miles away. Today President Obama will speak at a memorial service on the base and meet with families of the victims of this senseless tragedy.
I watch it all from a distance, both physical and emotional. Violence, like the shooting that rocked the security of the country’s largest military base and the faith of many last Thursday, shakes me each time I hear about it. It’s painful, and I realize that I have developed a routine to blunt such inexplicable grief.
I ask my obligatory “why” and how could this happen questions. I pray for the families who are grappling with the sudden and violent death of their loved ones and for victims who are recovering from injuries. I wonder how a person could commit such a horrific act but usually stop short of praying for him. I continue to read or watch stories about the crime, perhaps seeking clues to the cause of such aberrant behavior. I am grateful when the misfortune does not strike close to home.
Children prepare to sing at Fort Hood service. Credit The Washington Post
This time was no different, until I read a story yesterday while on the Metro train about a chapel service Sunday at Fort Hood. An Army chaplain’s prayer caused me to pause and think more deeply about something I would rather push to the back of my mind. For some reason, he brought the tragedy a little closer to me.
Col. Frank Jackson prayed for the dead and for the wounded. He urged those gathered at the 1st Calvary Memorial Chapel to turn their attention from the tragedy to helping each other “though the valley of the shadow of darkness.” He also asked them to pray for the suspect and his family “as they find themselves in a position that no person ever desires to be.”
Faith is either weakened or strengthened during such times. I know that. Col. Jackson knows that too. He touched a nerve as he prayed about how such heartbreakers plague us to make sense of the senselessness. His prayer:
“Lord, all those around us search for motive, search for meaning, search for something, someone to blame. That is so frustrating. Today we, we pause to hear from you. So Lord, as we pray together, we focus on things we know.”
And he continued:
“And Lord, teach us to love and pray for those who rise up against us and pray for those who do us harm. We pray for Maj.[Nidal Malik] Hasan. Asking that you do the work that only you can do in his life.”
Credit Associated Press photo
Meanwhile on the Army base, the “business of soldiering” is moving forward, said Fort Hood spokesman Col. John Rossi. “There’s a lot of routine activity still happening. You’ll hear cannon fire and artillery fire. Soldiers in units are still trying to execute the missions we have been tasked with.”
For those of us who pray, we must stay on task too. Our mission is pray without ceasing. I think that Col. Jackson’s prayer reminded me that there is nothing routine about prayer, and that rather than using it to dull my own grief, I should refocus on using it’s power to help others heal.
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