“Peace on earth, goodwill toward men,” has been sung, prayed and spoken recently. Do we really mean it, and what does the Prince of Peace, whose birthday we celebrated, say about peace? As I write this, we’re observing Holy Innocents Day, remembering the children slaughtered by King Herod. Our own innocent children are being slaughtered in schools, churches and on the streets. What’s being done about it? What does the Prince of Peace say to us about gun violence? Listening to his words, we hear him rebuke his disciple for cutting off the ear of someone who came to take Jesus away. He healed it. He said, “People who use the sword die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52) and “Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5). As followers of Jesus, we are not allowed to be silent and the response cannot be more violence. Recently, the House passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, meaning even criminals can carry concealed guns across state lines. Soon the Hearing Protection Act will be passed (to protect hunters’ ears.) Silencers will be more easily accessible to virtually anyone. Ask your legislators why.
Choosing lives over guns is a moral decision. I wish you peace!