Thought for the week (we 28th April 2013)

Last Sunday’s London marathon began with a short time of silence in remembrance of the tragic events of Boston just a few days before.

The sight of so many standing in silence was both moving and an affirmation of solidarity with the bereaved and injured. President Barak Obama said on his visit to Boston that what happened was a cowardly and heinous attack upon the defenceless and the city of Boston.

That struck a chord because if such evil visited Boston on what should have been a happy and fun filled day the resilience and determination of the city soon returned. Bostonians went back to work; they travelled, walked the streets and returned to everyday living.

One commentator said ‘The Boston bombings cannot be allowed to paralyse the lives of the innocent’ and this has been the case, sending a clear message that terrorism will not win the day despite the tragic loss of life and the devastation which followed.

That spirit was clearly seen in the immediate aftermath of the bombings. Runners and spectators breaking barriers to help those injured with little or no thought for their own safety, tearing off their track shirts to make bandages, rushing to give blood even after running for nearly 26 miles, others carrying and comforting the injured.

In the darkness of such an evil act the light of human kindness shone through.

There, of course, lies the very essence of what Jesus spoke of when he told the story of the Good Samaritan. Passing by on the other side is never an option when we see such need and are confronted with an evil that seeks in the name of whatever ideology to kill and maim.

God, however, will not allow evil to have the final word and brings condemnation on those who seek the ways of terrorism and fear. It is being the peacemakers that we do God’s will and know the blessing of being the sons and daughters of God.