THE BEATITUDES AT ITS BEST

The horrible event last week in Lancaster, Pennsylvania shocked the nation and once again brought to great notice how safe America for children. The violence in the school was so ironically brought right in the doorstep of the most peaceful loving community in America, the Amish. As soon as the stories of the images of the massacre started coming into the homes of Americans, they have rightly comprehended how shocking it was.

While the newspapers and televisions ran different lines about the story, some were wondering how the community would be able to handle the aftermath of the tragedy. Others doubted Amish’s ability to handle such grief. For how would the pacifist Amish handle such encroachment from the outside world?

While most of us were angered and wondered, the Amish showed us how to handle it. Of course there were tears and show of grief. But most of all there was a loud silence. A deafening silence of hatred and violence. Instead there was the abundance of forgiveness and mercy.

The grandfather of one of the girls who was murdered said “We must not think evil of this man.”
According to the news, the Amish have reached out to Roberts' family and an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them.
And it was reported that out of the more than 75 person that went to Robert’s Funeral, more than half of it were Amish.

It is said that forgiveness is woven into the very life of the Amish; and is more than just a gesture.

Last week was the Beatitudes at its best. And it was real.

Honestly, I could have handled it differently. Or we could have handled it differently.

Blessed are the meek.

Blessed are the merciful and...

Blessed are the Amish who showed us how to be peacemakers.