“For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes” – Matthew 24:12.

The processes of an evil deed…

After the bloodshed and massacre of Roseburg, some have started to admit (though hesitantly) that they are becoming inured to such tragedies. The murders of young souls, innocent people, seems to be taking on such a commonplace nature that the shock and horror appears to be less with each jolt of bloody realism.

This is what Matthew both describes and foretells in the text above. “An overwhelming spread of evil” numbs the heart and so “nothing is left of love but a mound of ashes”. This must not happen; the power of the silent majority is frustrating enough but when that transforms into “the silent majority” of the heart, the “silent majority” of a mind unable to suffer shock then… doom lies ahead.

The essential psyche of each one killed, of each family member thrust into sudden bereavement – as the individual and the unique are considered so numb cynicism will be kept at bay.

The gunman, identified as Christopher Harper-Mercer 26,was known to be anti-religious establishment and also “thought of himself as a loser; he did not like his lot in life, it seemed like nothing was going right for him”.

I have met countless people who do not like their “lot in life”, they have expressed the thought that it seems “all the cards have been stacked against them”. Such people may be people of faith or without faith; they are similar in that they begin to almost reify (if not deify) the “cards stacked against them, the unfriendly world”. Gentle but intentional probing soon discovers that such people are profoundly angry with God (however they describe him, her, it) but hesitate as to “be so rude, improper” as to hurl their abuse at such a Being.

In a primal, mythic sense this describes the eternal allure and validity of the Cross – God on a Cross, totally vulnerable, is now subject to receiving the insults, injuries and attacks of humankind.

Without such psychic anger being recognized, accepted, channeled and healed… my world and yours will ever remain a fragile thing.

He did these terrible, awful, wretched, disgusting things because he was angry… no mission, no misplaced vocation.

God save us!