Christianity — demonstration of Christly love in times of tragedy

In the wake of the recent tragic events at the Boston Marathon, turning to the idea of the love of Christ through prayer can bring comfort to all of us. In the midst of one of the worst exhibitions of evil, the healing love of the Christ was still evident. The purpose of any sporting event such as this race is to express courage, strength, ability, intelligence, and freedom; these are God given qualities that cannot be destroyed. Goodness is more powerful than evil and was immediately evident at this event. Many at the scene offered aid and comfort in spite of possible danger to themselves.

Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount to love and care for each other. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” was one of his promises to us (Matthew 5:4). His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) models for us the care and compassion good people everywhere express. The natural goodness of mankind becomes apparent in such situations; showing that goodness is normal for each of us and evil is the aberration.

Those who commit such crimes directed by hatred cannot win. Love is more powerful than hate. Saint John tells us in the Bible “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him” (I John 2: 10 King James Version). And “..whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (John 2: 11 English Standard Translation)

What can we do so far from the scene of such horrific events? We can acknowledge that the love of Christ is at hand to express practical care for all in need; that those who suffer can be comforted; that those responsible for solving such crimes are guided by supreme intelligence; that those responsible for the crime cannot be hidden but found and brought to justice; that fear cannot rule our lives nor conquer love and that mankind’s innate sense of goodness will win the day over hatred and destruction.

In a world where some question the place of Christianity, events such as these can teach us the universal lesson of Christ love. We can learn to be more gentle, understanding, caring, forgiving, even in the face of evil. We can learn to express more love and care for others in our daily lives. We can all strive for Christly love to be reflected in our hearts each day. We can hold on to hope and be alert to ways we may be of service to mankind and make this a better, safer world so events like this will cease.

Renowned American religious leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who lived in Boston during the early years of the Marathon, wrote “Christianity as Jesus taught it was not a creed, nor a system of ceremonies, nor a special gift from a ritualistic Jehovah; but it was the demonstration of divine Love casting our error and healing the sick, not merely in the name of Christ, or Truth, but in demonstration of Truth, as must be the case in the cycles of divine light.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 135)

We can learn to be examples of that divine light and challenge evil wherever we see it. We can express hope and expectation of good in our lives. We can trust the words of Christ Jesus, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27 KJV).

Terry Homan is a member of First Church of Christ, Scientists in Wasilla.