When a horrific attack occurs anywhere in the world we all react. And we all suffer. The reactions of our hearts, minds and souls are many and sometimes jumbled.

We are stunned. We are shocked.

We feel sorrow for those who have lost their lives and those injured.
We feel angry at those who would perpetrate such a barbaric act.
We desire vengeance. And in our better moments we seek justice instead.
We feel afraid, for we know that we are not immune to such acts here in Massachusetts.
We feel helpless in the face of such hatred and violence.
And every one of these reactions is a normal reaction to such a horrible series of events.

Still, we are not helpless. We can pray for the mourning and pray for the injured.
We can pray for law enforcement and military as they strive to prevent further violence and find those who are responsible.
We can pray for those who now live in the fear of such an attack, and wonder what may come next.
We can pray that God will soften the hearts hardened by hatred, causing them to seek peace instead of bloodshed.
We can stand with the people of France and good people everywhere, to condemn the senseless horror seen on the streets of Paris, the same kind of horror that has struck so many people in so many places.

Jim
The Rev. Jim Tilbe, for the Disaster Resource Team 
Photo from UCC.org