Sorrow. Grief. 

Once again - the people most hurt, most targeted by so-called Islamic State (IS) / jihadists / are people of the Muslim faith. These were people, families, shopping for the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.



Here is a link to one the most recent updated stories from the BBC about this horrible event: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36720720

A horrible reminder that claiming to be of a faith (Muslim or Christian or..?) while carrying out unspeakable acts of violent hatred, does NOT mean that the perpetrators of truly of that faith. In fact - it shows that they are imposters.

It is one of the most insidious tools of evil - to pretend to be good. To pretend to be virtuous. To pretend to uphold "family values", "religious values". It is a lie.

My congregation, my friends, my colleagues sometimes ask in utter frustration and grief - "What can we do? What can I do?"

I have no "cure-all". But I do have the most powerful tool there is. Love. And remember - Love is a verb, an "action word". And that action is not always easy to undertake.

No matter how difficult - we must continue to love and care for and minister to and provide for and listen to and provide for - each other. Whether a friend, a family member or a stranger. We are all neighbors.

While it may seem a small thing - we at Bethel Congregaional Church in Ontario, California will be lighting candles this Sunday, in awareness and remembrance of this and so many other tragedies, and in dedication to following the two greatest commandments.

Come join us. Bring a votive candle, or a tea candle, or a small candle of some kind in a candle holder...Take a stand for love. Come and voice your decision to act in love.

Matthew 22:36-40New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”