I went to school in Lancaster, PA, so something close to home hit me when I heard about the school shooting at the Amish schoolhouse. While certainly a society with its own flaws and troubles, the Amish reflect something that we all wish we could recapture. There is a sense of community and dependency that grows out of living so simply. A great respect for the land and nature must follow their lifestyle. But most importantly this week, I am struck at how a group of people who have shunned modern conveniences have shown this modern world the importance of forgiveness. By attending the funeral of the man who killed five Amish girls, the Amish community has made it clear that forgiving, offering peace to those who harm us, and moving past the anger are all important in the grieving process and in life, in general.
May we all find peace with those who hurt us. May we find forgiveness. May we find peace within ourselves.
Forgiveness and Peace
October 10, 2006 at 9:57 pm (Commentary Cauldron)
I went to school in Lancaster, PA, so something close to home hit me when I heard about the school shooting at the Amish schoolhouse. While certainly a society with its own flaws and troubles, the Amish reflect something that we all wish we could recapture. There is a sense of community and dependency that grows out of living so simply. A great respect for the land and nature must follow their lifestyle. But most importantly this week, I am struck at how a group of people who have shunned modern conveniences have shown this modern world the importance of forgiveness. By attending the funeral of the man who killed five Amish girls, the Amish community has made it clear that forgiving, offering peace to those who harm us, and moving past the anger are all important in the grieving process and in life, in general.
May we all find peace with those who hurt us. May we find forgiveness. May we find peace within ourselves.