By Berta Hernandez
Dear Lord,
My granddaughter, Isabel, is afraid of returning to school. Her school is just a few miles away from the shooting that took place on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, Valentine’s Day. Lord, she’s only 11 years old. She said to me, “Abuela, I don’t want to go back to school!” What do I say, Lord ? What answer can I give that will alleviate her fears?
My dear Lord Jesus, I know that you are with her, like I know you are with all the parents, family, and friends of all the victims, like I also know you are with the young man that did the shooting. You are with us through all the many good things, and the very awful ones too. I can say all this to Isabel, but Lord, she’s only 11 years old. How can I help her understand?
You can see, my God, that we have left You behind! So many are not looking to You for help. They say things like, “No more prayers! We have to take action!” or, “God doesn’t listen! Look at how many times these shootings have occurred and nothing has happened?” How, Lord Jesus, how can we realize in our own grief, fear, and worry, that it is by bringing You closer in prayer, and listening to Your message, that we will find the way?
Maybe, just maybe, You are speaking through all these teenagers that are calling for more compassion and love, and less violence and guns. Maybe You are speaking through every Pastor and Priest that spoke to their congregations this past weekend about peace and love. Maybe You are speaking through the politicians that are ready to discuss legislation that will help the depressed, the desperate, the lonely, and the bullied, and while they are at this, also find new ways to have gun control in this country.
We can see our world as dark and gloomy, but that would be a world without Your Light, Lord God! I would rather see a world of Light, Hope and Love, where together as one with You we conquer fear, loneliness, desolation, depression, and unhappiness. Lord, “ Take up Your Holy Throne deep within our hearts.” Arm us with the weapons of Hope, Faith and Love ! We want You to govern, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as it was meant to be from the beginning! Help us, our God! We need You more than ever.
Praise, Honor and Glory to You my Lord God.
Berta Hernandez
The Victor's Place 
How deep and soul searching are your thoughts and your prayer and also a challenge to and for us all. My prayer for your words to your granddaughter. Without Hope and a sense of Joy deep within us to believe God is ever present even in these horrible tragedies we will become angry and bitter which robs us all of Peace and a sense of belonging to the family of God.
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I totally agree with you Gail. Thank you! We cannot let the darkness win!!!!
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I am disturbed by the people who offer their “thoughts and prayers” for victims of mass shootings, and their families, as a substitute for action by those who have the ability to ban access to assault weapons — literally weapons of mass destruction — after each horrific massacre in our schools, public venues and churches. The student survivors of Parkland have more maturity and courage as they protest these murders that have been allowed to continue because of inaction on the part of the adults who continue to argue over what can or cannot be done, but eventually do nothing in the wake of each shooting. I pray for those mature, courageous, young survivors.
Please God, that theirs will be an example for the adults who have the ways and means to end
these “legal” murders. And please, God, bless and help those who are struggling, in spite of strong opposition, to do what others have failed to do.
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