CowPi Journal

We come here to remember those who were killed,
those who survived and those changed forever.
May all who leave here know the impact of violence.
May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

On this 12th aniversary, we remember the 168 victims (149 adults and 19 children), the survivors (30 children were orphaned), and their families of the Oklahoma City Bombing at 9:02 am on April 19, 1995. Our prayers still go out for you.

Each of the 168 chairs, representing the victims of the bombing, are lit at night to remind us of the light within each and every soul. From across the reflecting pool, you can see how that light, even though the person it represents is not visible, still affects, and reflects, in us today.

Please visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial if you ever pass through town. It will be time well spent.

The word sacrifice tends to carry a negative feel to it when stressing the idea of giving up something. But if I look beyond this negative, there is also an implied sense of hope, that is, in my giving up something, someone else gains. That is an act of love.
I can view sacrifice as a loss to me, but the better view is sacrifice as a gift to another. It is and/both, not either/or. Sacrifice is gift. It is giving. Which way I see it, like all things, depends on my attitude.

From today’s reading, Jesus says to Nicodemus,

“The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

This is one of my favorite passages. It describes how the Holy Spirit works in my life. People and things come into and out of my life, according to God’s will. I really do not have any control over it, so I shouldn’t worry about it. It becomes my choice on whether to accept them, reject them, or even ignore them. God’s will is direct—love people.

This passage has another point of view. It involves trusting God even more than the first. God will move me like the wind according to His will into places and situations that I will not know, and most definitely will not have any control over. I should not worry about it because, if I trust and open to love, God will see that the best thing will happen. It may not appear like it at first, but it will be the best thing for me and for all others.

Dare to trust…

Father, have mercy on those souls who died in the shootings at Virginia Tech yesterday. Please bless the survivors, family, and friends who are left behind. May this tragedy be transformed in your Paschal Mystery from death to life, loss to gain, darkness to light. Through your Son, we pray.