ORLANDO MASSACRE OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

I asked my Uncle RJ how the murder of so many people could have happened in the United States in 2016. It is not the absolute worst murderous event to occur in the world-- ISIS has been victimizing people in many parts of the world. We can recall the horrendous killing of many different minority groups by the Nazis  in their concentration camps. I have tears in my eyes, but I will now quote what Uncle RJ told me:

'AFTER A VERY SAVAGE AND HORRIBLE EVENT IN MY OWN FAMILY, I WAS LOSING FAITH AND HOPE. I ALSO COULD NOT HAVE CHARITY OR FORGIVENESS FOR THE LOSS OF MY NIECE AT THE HANDS OF A MENTALLY DERANGED 'BOYFRIEND' AND I REACHED OUT TO ONE OF THE HOLIEST, LOVING, AND PASTORAL GAY-FRIENDLY PRIESTS I HAVE EVER KNOWN. WHAT HE SAID THEN, APPLIES NOW. THERE ARE SHOCKINGLY TERRIBLE THINGS WHICH OCCUR IN OUR LIVES, PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, WHICH MAKE US NUMB AND SO VERY HURT. ANY FAITH WE POSSESS IS  TESTED TO THE POINT OF DESPAIR. SOME OF US WILL ASK HOW AND WHY GOD COULD HAVE LET THIS HAPPEN. DISMISSING ALL OF THE SENSELESS ANSWERS WE MAY HEAR, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE TIMES LIKE THIS WHEN WE CAN ONLY LOOK TO THE GOD OF OUR UNDERSTANDING AND CRY. NEVER FORGET WHAT A VERY WONDERFUL RABBI TOLD ME... THAT WHEN HUMANKIND CRIES, GOD CRIES.'

OUR PRAYERS AND OUR THOUGHTS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF THESE LGBT BROTHERS AND SISTERS WE HAVE PROBABLY NEVER MET, BUT WHO ARE STILL OUR COLLECTIVE PARENTS WHO NEED TO KNOW WE ARE ALL SHARING IN THEIR GRIEF AND SORROW.