On Friday morning, a gunman entered an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, shooting and killing six adults and twenty children before killing himself.

This incomprehensible act has caused enormous mourning and outrage. So many of us have been feeling grief and also numbness, bewilderment and anger. Our thoughts turn toward those killed and their loved ones. How does a parent survive something like this? How do any of those who lost a loved one that day endure? And because our own humanity connects us, we ask how we ourselves are to go on, and what can we do on behalf of healing and integrity and justice.

In an early briefing, the White House press secretary said it was too soon after the tragedy to start talking about policy issues related to this tragedy, such as gun control. Other politicians have repeated this.

I disagree. It’s not too soon. It’s too…

How do we explain the situation in Newtown to our parishioners? This senseless murder is indeed a challenge to the faith. Christianity teaches that out of death comes life, misery-joy, darkness-light and void-purpose. The most challenging but glorious part of our faith is the horror of the cross and how it was necessary for the resurrection and redemption of humanity. As we look at the deaths of these young beautiful children and brave educators our only recourse is to rely on our faith. Therefore, this tragedy must have redemptive value, otherwise God has no mercy and redemption has no relevance.

I trust God, the God who brought slaves out of Egyptian oppression to create glorious redemption that far outweighed the suffering. I believe God, the God who sacrificed the only begotten Son so salvation was available to all who believe. I have faith in God, the same God who brought…