In times of strife

It seems to be mandatory for everyone to have an opinion about the tragedy in Orlando on Sunday, June 12.

It is interesting to ask ourselves with whom Jesus would be at this time in history. The Gospels describe him as being with tax collectors, synagogue worshipers, mourners, sinners, lepers, foreigners, widows, beggars, scribes, Pharisees, soldiers, Samaritan women at wells, those who were hungry, thirsty, hurting, searching and seeking.

He seemed to have an affinity with those on the edge of society — whether because of economic status, disease, ethnicity, moral exclusion, or whatever.

When people are — or perceive themselves to be — on the margins, bad things happen to them or by them. Those on the fringes of life because of nationality or race, poverty, mental problems, political views, sexual orientation or other facets of their existence are the ones who would find Jesus in their midst if he were walking the earth today.

I believe he would be calling upon us to bind up wounds, to build bridges rather than walls, to learn and understand rather than walk in the darkness.

Peacemakers are no more popular today than they were 2000 years ago. We prefer to deal with wars and their aftermaths much more than address their root causes and head them off.

As we pray for victims and mourners, let us pray also for guidance and courage for ourselves.