Commentaries

Once again as a nation we find ourselves in a crisis of compassion. In the wake of

the government shutdown, the closing of car plants, the uncertain economy,

some of our family and friends are in trouble. And it is in times like these when we

are called by whatever we believe in to become more than we are, to be our best

selves. It is in times like these we see people’s hearts. And sometimes it is

disappointing.

While I have my opinions on all of the crises we face, this is not a political

I work in a building filled with statues and monuments. There are statues of famous people who have touched our lives by the way they led their own. There are windows that remind us of events in our history, ancient and modern. There are plaques dedicated to loved ones who died serving our country or who died as children, dedicated to those who generously gave of themselves and should be remembered. 

I think we are asking the wrong question.  When we hear the horrifying reports of the killings of black men and attacks on police officers, we want to know who to blame.  There has to be someone at fault.  But the deeper question is, why do we make decisions in our society based on fear.  Because fear changes us, it makes normally good people make very bad choices, and it creates an atmosphere where everyone is a potential enemy.