This past Monday was a quiet and uneventful morning until around 11 am. Driving north on Route 41, I saw Glenview police cars whizzing past me. Since I was past Glenview, I wondered where they were going. I then saw more police vehicles speeding down the road on the opposite side of the highway. These were coming from Lake Forest, Libertyville, and Buffalo Grove. I wondered what was happening. Later, when I saw the news, I got my answer. With this pandemic of gun violence across the country, I ceased asking the question ‘why?’ More than being outraged, I felt tired. I wish I had a solution to this scourge of gun violence and mass shootings, but sadly I do not.
We now have to face the hard truth that here in America, we're no longer safe anywhere, not in the most familiar places and not even when engaged in the most humdrum activities. Our churches, hospitals, supermarkets, workplaces, and city squares have become danger zones. Yes, mass shootings occur in other stable democracies, but with nowhere near the frequency we see here. No other economically advanced country has such carnage. There is no one answer to the ‘why’ of this problem, and there is not one singular law that will deliver us from these senseless acts.
If the pandemic of COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that we are in this together. Individual choices often affect our families' and communities' joint health and safety. We wore masks, stayed apart and away, and chose to be vaccinated to protect ourselves and others. I feel the two are inextricably linked.
This weekend at Mass, we will hear the parable of the Good Samaritan. Two questions provoke this well-known parable: what must I do to inherit eternal life, and, who is my neighbor? The account and the punch line “Go and do likewise” have nothing to do with the law, theology, or academics. Jesus didn't say what a neighbor is or who a neighbor is.
We admire the compassion and strength of the Samaritan, but this is not something that comes suddenly when such love and compassion are what is needed. It is something that one has to cultivate each day so that when a real test comes, we are equal to that challenge. The Scribe's question, “who is my neighbor?” could be paraphrased as “who deserves to receive my love?” In this parable, Jesus turns the question to mean, “Who do you think was capable of giving compassion and love?”
To show compassion and love, we must be willing to adopt a culture that promotes a shared dedication to the common good. The narrow pursuit of self-interest must give way to embrace the path that inspires empathy and compassion, that sees the interest of self and the interest in others as inseparably intertwined.
While we strive to find solutions to this scourge in our society and find the courage to let our voices echo in the chambers of power, let us remember those who have lost their lives and the grieving families and communities. Let us pray for wisdom to guide our leaders to protect life and preserve our futures.
A few words of information about our parish staff: due to a personal matter, the arrival of our new associate Fr. Dave Straub has been delayed. I will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Secondly, our long-time bookkeeper, Kate Dombrowski will retire at the end of August 2022. Laurie Vlasic, a parishioner and former chair of our UPP and QASPA, has joined the staff and will take over for Kate. We thank Kate for her dedication and commitment to QAS and wish her well as she prepares to enjoy her grandchildren and some well-earned rest.