April 21st, 2020: NoVa Scotia Massacre
At least 19 people, including a police officer and a nurse who had been a front line worker against COVID-19, were killed by a shooting rampage by a gunman who drove a fake police cruiser and dressed like an RCMP officer in Nova Scotia. There are at least 16 crime scenes and the police don’t even know for sure that all victims have been accounted for. Monday morning many churches across Canada rang their bells as a sign of solidarity with the people of Nova Scotia and the families of these victims.
My mind was heavy because I know some people there. Nova Scotia is one of my favorite provinces in Canada. I did a wedding in a community not too far from where the shooting rampage started. I preached in a couple of churches in the same area. It is in many ways evil and senseless acts.
The phone calls on Sunday evening and early Monday morning were full of grief and disbelief. The best way to be is “being there”. No wisdom can fathom evil, no word can capture the immense sadness. Now the community does not even know how to come and grieve together due to physical distancing and no public gathering.
My faith on this day is not about having the answers for human suffering but rested on the fact that Jesus raised from the dead.
I am including this link so that we can remember the victims and their families in our prayers.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:12)