Hate is
tragically blind and destructive as the daily news so frequently reminds
us. But last Sunday the reminder was
personal for our friend Kirby Gould.
Kirby is one of the Vice Presidents of the Christian Church Foundation
and has visited our congregation several times. She was here just a couple of weeks ago and
we had lunch together. She is a dear
friend of mine and Mindy’s as well as many of you who are reading this.
Two of the
victims in what is being investigated as a “hate crime” were Kirby’s cousins,
Dr. William Corporon and his grandson, Reat Underwood. They were randomly shot and killed in the
parking lot of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. Corporn had taken his grandson there to
audition for “K.C. Superstar” an “American Idol” – style singing contest. Both were shot by Frazier Glenn Cross, a
73-year-old man with a history of anti-Semitism. After being arrested, witnesses reported him
shouting, “Hail Hitler” from the back of a squad car.
Hate did not
see a loving grandfather who recently moved from Oklahoma to be near his family
and spend more time with them. Hate did
not see a 14 year-old boy with his whole life before him. Reat was described by teachers and friends
as, “A fantastic young man, funny, a beautiful person, incredibly gifted and
one who brought smiles to everyone.”
Hate did not
see the effects it would have on Rev. Mindy Corporon, a Methodist minister, the
daughter of William and the mother of Reat.
Hate did not see because it could not see. It is itself blind and it blinds everyone
that it infects. It robs us of so much
that is precious and beautiful. It is
like a cancer that destroys the health of our whole society. It blinds with ignorance. It smothers souls.
“You have
heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you. . . .” (Mt. 5:43)
May God
deliver us from all hatred and grant us peace even if that peace is only inner
peace. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment