What Guns Can't Kill

Dear Friends: Like me, I am sure that you have been deeply disturbed by the violence that killed 20 children and six school staff in Newton, Connecticut.

The NRA has offered a mind-blowing solution to gun violence in schools–armed guards.

The only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun, they reason, is a good guy with a gun.

You are probably also horrified by the prospect that 40,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in Syria.

Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Afghanistan and Iran are all in varying states of combustion and violence.

In DR Congo, hundreds of children remain separated from their families and a million people have been displaced as fighting rages in Goma.

Here at home, violence and murder targetting Aboriginal women is epidemic.

The Government of Canada has steadfastly refused to commission an investigation into why law enforcement has done so little to protect one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

Not our job, they claim.

It's easy amidst such conditions to throw up our hands in disgust and lose faith.

In the face of such difficult circumstances we are not asked to do the easy thing.

We are called to do something much more challenging.

Love harder.

At this time of year, whether you honor Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or the Solstice, use the occassion of gathering with family, friends and especially strangers in solidarity against hatred, fear and violence.

Guns can't kill love, friendship, compassion, generosity, and goodwill.

Let's remember that as we commit to the healing that needs to come into our world.

"When I stand before thee at the day's end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing," wrote Rabindranath Tagore.

Merry Christmas to all.

© Patrick O’Neill 2012. All rights reserved.