“The Call of the Faithful Must Be Louder than the Dog Whistle” by The Rev. Kaji Douša

This week has been one of the most violent, hate-filled weeks in this country’s history – as people incited by words and dog whistles, emboldened by leadership that does not value the lives of anyone but white people, white Christian people, as people who are having access to guns are using them against the people they hate – it is time to figure out what we are going to do with our thoughts and prayers so that we can stop this. And as we remember the lives of people who have been killed this week and shot violently out of hatred, we decry all violence. We say that it has no place in the life of someone’s faith. And we invite everyone to consider what we are going to do to make a change in this country. Pray, yes, but pray so that we can be inspired, so that these words of hatred are not embolden to the very people who have the means to harm others. Will you join me in praying for these victims of this violence this week: Maurice Stallard, Vicky Lee Jones, at a Kroger grocery store; Daniel Stein, Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Melvin Wax, Irving Younger. Every death that is a result of violence is a death that we mourn. But this country has to stop what we are doing. Because the lives that matter require more than just thoughts and prayers, they require protection. And protection does not come from further arming. It comes from a change of heart. What conversations can you incite, to build more love to stop this violence? Help us. Amen.