Pete & Geri Scazzero

Pete & Geri Scazzero. Photo: Tony Carnes/A Journey through NYC religions

“Unspeakable horror” is the best phrase to capture the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. 26 people killed, 20 of whom were only 6-7 years old.

There are no words to say. We pray for the victims, their families, the shooter’s family, and all those affected. We grieve with them.

We join the three friends of Job as they arrive after innocent Job suffers his unspeakable horrors and longs to die. Scripture tells us that his friends “began to weep aloud…Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was” (Job 2:12-13).

God invites us to be silent before this massacre, acknowledging the severe limits of our understanding.

Our God is good. He is alive on the earth hidden amidst all of history’s unspeakable horrors.

Let us remember the three friends who got themselves in big trouble once they started talking, poorly applying Scriptural truth in an attempt to “help” Job and “defend the integrity of God.”

Let us lament.

And let us be silent.

Amen.

____________________________

Peter Scazzero is the Founder and Senior Lead Pastor of New Life Fellowship. He and his wife Geri Scazzero are co-founders of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.