Many beyond the shores of the United States are acutely aware of the violence that has captured media attention here, particularly over the last year. And many have expressed compassionate support for the soulsearching that has resulted from what appear too often as random acts of evil.
Shootings at schools and elsewhere have led teachers and parents, community leaders and students, to ponder their role in preventing such tragedies. The media, the gun industry, the Internet, are among those areas that have come under stronger scrutiny in the search for answers.
This search can be useful, especially as answers focus on strengthening moral and spiritual qualities such as integrity, innocence, affection, and forbearance—all qualities that Christ Jesus exercised with unparalleled effectiveness. Jesus was also remarkably perceptive. He discerned issues in their true light, and this gave him the ability to deal in the most healing way with aggressive situations. Such spiritual discernment may be particularly important in addressing recent violence, especially since the violence seems so senseless. Some thoughtful people, including experts, are honestly baffled.
