Eyes of Compassion

I read Richard Rohr this morning about seeing with "Eyes of Compassion" and it is hard in the aftermath of the shooting in Las Vegas.

As I watch the news (way too much!) the reporters and police are still uncertain about the motivation of this man who stockpiled weapons and carefully prepared for a mass murder.  There is something so unsettling in all of it.

I will say "you never know what is going on with people" somewhat glibly.  The truth is so scary.  We see what we see in our interactions with others and often have no idea the guilt, shame, hate, anger, prejudices, and bitterness that can reside within people.  No idea.  And then they open their mouths and we  hear words that can shock us or they reveal ideas that are disturbing or they do things that are unimaginable.  There are times like this when I am left feeling agitated and isolated.  How does a Christian make sense of this? 

So I turn to this devotional that I have been slowly making my way through this year by Richard Rohr which helps a little.  He writes:

"I am convinced that guilt and shame are never from God...If God related to us by severity and punishment, God would only be giving us permission to do the same.  ....The spiritual journey is a kind of weeping and a kind of wandering that keeps us both askew and awake at the same time."

 So I wander and wonder and pray that I might be guided by the source of love today.

Here is a prayer from Prayers Encircling the world that speaks to me today

Dear Lord Jesus, 
I don't know who I am,
I don't know what I am,
I don't know where I am,
but please love me.
Amen