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pastoral publishing in the 21st century

Another Black Teenager Shot

12/18/2014

2 Comments

 
I am outraged by another violent death of a black teenager in our city.  On Tuesday, one of my wife’s students was fatally shot. Sixteen-year-old Chelsea Harris was simply getting out of a car with her boyfriend.  

This black teenager won’t get the press of Michael Brown, but the outrage should be just as furious.  With 2014 drawing to a close, there have been about 150 murders in St. Louis, up 35% from last year.  The victims are disproportionately young and black.  The issues in our city are complex - the weaving of societal systems and cultural cycles that perpetuate poverty, violence, and dysfunction.  

Chelsea is one of five students that my wife has seen die a violent death.  As a family and a school grieves a child's death, I am reminded that brutal violence against children was part of Christ's birth narrative (Matt. 2:16-18).  I am also reminded that   
God overwhelmingly favors the marginalized (Luke 2:46-55; 4:16-21; 6:20-26) - the poor, those who mourn, the lowly.  
We pray mercy for those stuck in disruptive neighborhoods, families, and economic conditions.  

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  




2 Comments
Mark Longrie
12/21/2014 06:27:48 am

It is absolutely a tragic thing and it is so important to bring up the ongoing battle and hopelessness that happens just miles from where we live. Maybe it is us who are "comfortable" that need His Grace & Mercy more than ever as we watch but are reluctant to do the hard work it takes to make a difference. How do we build those important relationships with those that need our help and resources.

Reply
Jeff Cloeter
12/31/2014 01:23:13 am

"Hard work" is the key phrase. To risk comfort and ease is hard to do. Here's to God's grace as we continue his work in 2015.

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  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern