What is the right thing to say right now

by | Jul 28, 2019 | Christianity Today | 19 comments

Again, we must process another nameless horror.  Gilroy, California is drenched in innocent blood.  Everything else should pale in significance.  Here’s the report so far:
  • Bloody scenes, as terrified revelers run for their lives when ‘shooter in fatigues opens fire with a semi-automatic weapon’ on the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California, killing three and leaving at least 11 people injured (early reports had listed an incorrect number, of 60 injured).
  • Stephen Romero, the 6-year-old “loving boy” killed in the shooting, is the only victim who has so far been identified by local authorities. Two other festival-goers killed in the shooting have yet to be named. Limited details have been circulated about others injured in the shooting that remain in hospital.
  • Gunfire erupted at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California 6 p.m. Sunday
  • It is unclear whether any suspects have been arrested, as the scene is still active, but the suspected gunman has been identified by law enforcement, though his motive in shooting up an event attended by nearly 100,000 people each year, many of them families, is still unclear.
  • Several witnesses reported hearing popping noises and then seeing a man in military fatigues spraying the crowd with bullets from a semi-automatic weapon
  • Video shows panicked attendees fleeing the park after the shots rang out
  • President Donald Trump tweeted that the shooter had not yet been apprehended
  • Anyone who saw anything during the shooting to call police at 408-846-0583
Even so, the usual suspects will disgrace themselves.   They will rub salt in the wounds of those who have lost loved ones by making a political grandstand.  Please: somebody shut these people up!
Grief counselors will dispense trite psycho-babble.  Their advice will harp on environmental factors to help explain this madman’s behavior.
Vacuous theologians will tell us, “God has a plan in all of this.”
Doomsday prophets will spew venom, saying, “See, I told you so! This is God judging America!”
The lack of comfort, decency, and sanity, are a testament to how degraded America has become.   But that too, is for another time.
The families and friends of those murdered should not be in the middle of religious, psychological, or political debates.  They should not be ‘click-bait’ for internet trolls.  This behavior is beyond disgusting.
What then, do they need to hear?
They need to hear us say that we know this is an unspeakable loss and a terrible tragedy.  It is a loss that cannot be calculated.  Not a day will go by for the rest of their lives when they will not feel the loss.  It is an insult not to realize this.  We must, as the Word of God says, “weep with those who weep.”  Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus—feeling the sorrow of Martha and Mary—even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead.
We must tell them that we do not know how they feel.  How can we?  Even those of us who have suffered great loss cannot possibly say we know how this horror is crashing into their souls.  We must tell them how sorry we are for a loss we cannot imagine.
We must tell them: God didn’t do this.  Telling them that is the hardest part.  Jesus settled the question when He taught us how to pray: “Father, Your will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.”  These words presuppose that, in many ways, and in many situations, God’s will is not being done on Earth.
We must allow them to vent their grief, and to express their anger toward God, but at the same time, we must not malign God.  They will soon be reaching out to Him.  We cannot cut off that lifeline.
Lastly, we must admit the existence of evil.  This shooter, still at large, chose to do evil.  He willingly surrendered to the dark undertow of the evil one.  Don’t blame his upbringing.  Plenty of us have had horrendous childhoods, but we didn’t resort to mass murder.  This was an act of pure evil.
It would also be wrong for me to appropriate this massacre as a topic for a sermon on America’s decadence.  That comes later.  The right thing to do now is for the nation to wrap its collective arms around these innocent people who are in the grip of unrelenting sadness and grief.
These words from the Desert News given after the Las Vegas massacre still ring true, “Even if citizens and politicians cannot find common ground on political issues, they can search out common ground in the manner they engage with each other. For now, the nation can unite in prayer and care for victims and their families. They can support those who mourn the loss of loved ones and they can try to bring about greater peace even amidst the chaos caused by such unconscionable evil.”
Amen.

19 Comments

  1. LAURA COLLINS

    I don’t have words anymore. If this a Veteran with PTSD, it will prove over and over again a broken down system. Trying not to speak too prematurely on this without more facts through the investigation.

  2. Thomas Craig

    Our Father, help us to show love and compassion to those harmed by this horrific act of hate and violence. Cover them in peace and heal their wounded hearts and broken bodies. Shower those mourning loss of loved ones with your presence and help lift them from this hour of sadness and pain. In the name of Jesus. Amen

    • monica530

      Amen. Let it be so??

  3. ppanther

    Mario, Thank you for your communiqué. I appreciate and agree with your stance on this horrible event and am praying for those affected. We know this is the work of the enemy and that it comes down to warfare in the Spirit. This is a fight for our lives and for our country. This is an act that is meant to strike terror in the hearts of not only those there but those who hear of this. But we have this confidence in God that He who has begun a good work, will complete it. We need to do spiritual warfare. and I just heard a wonderful word from our sister, Amanda Grace that I would like to send you to listen to that will encourage you as hopefully, as it did me. Here is the link and I am praying that it will encourage your soul, so that instead of feeling oppressed and hopeless in our spirit, we can arise with the armor of God to fight this enemy that would destroy God’s creation and oppress the world. Amanda Grace Talks…Spiritual Weapons:THE SPEAR OF THE LORD! https://youtu.be/MhI-JCfi_6Y via @YouTube I am going to try to transcribe this for her, and all of us, so I will try to post it if you want a copy. It’s really powerful. Hope you find it helpful. God bless, Donna Bryson katzpaw@cox.net

  4. free73735

    Reblogged this on free73735 and commented:
    Mario Murillo says what needs to be said…

  5. Roger Culwell

    Amen; Comfort and prayer is what they need, its just plain we have an enemy who wants, all mankind wiped out, others will try to get there few minutes of fame, to show their incompetence, and blame whom they want to discredit, or tare down without facts to plant a seed of hate, some thrive off this, as others thrive from sympathy, when someone is hurting they need loved through it.

  6. Margaret Eargle

    Amen.

  7. Roland Ledoux

    We need to pray, to pray as the Apostle Paul said, without ceasing and then to pray some more. We need to be ready to give account for our faith and why we believe in the power of prayer and yes Brother Mario, we must grieve with those grieving. I do NOT use the term evil lightly and I am also a minister of the Word, but evil is becoming more and more blatant, no longer hiding in the shadows and the dark. This is a sign of the end times, but first revival MUST come, revival WILL come. Keep praying, keep watching. God Bless ALL who are Watchmen!

  8. Wesley Buel

    Isaiah 1:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)
    21.How the faithful city has become a prostitute [idolatrous, despicable],
    She who was full of justice!
    Right standing with God once lodged in her,
    But now murderers.this is America today,scripture says that our sins will correct us and bare witness against us,this is not the wrath of GOD,but our backsliding from HIM, which is now and will continue to increase to be reaped. but i will say this i do believe GOD has a right hand of blessing,and a left hand of judgement ,while our LORD is raising a new generation for this hour in power and glory to be GOD,S answer to the cries and prayers of this lost generation,HE is slowly bringing his judgement on America,but not all at once,HIS judgments are meant to to bring their hearts back to him,But the wrath of GOD i believe is the conclusion of HIS previous judgments in which is a FINAL JUDGEMENT because they would not accept his correction from HIS previous judgments we have have ancient ISRAEL as the example in how GOD ADDRESSES with sin in his people,so as with ISRAEL,so America,thank you Mario for bringing GOD,S wisdom with balance to this painful and horrific break down of humanity

    • Maria Cruz

      Amen Wesley.
      1988 In a vision or ‘ spiritual experience, I found myself swated on the right shoulder of the Statue of Liberty. I heardba voice
      “Look over yonder.”
      I looked toward the Atlantic
      And there was a huge Stage lying flat over the ocean waters.
      The stage had curtains. And seated on that stage in Taylor position was a Prostitute.
      Dressed in very revealing, sexy night apparel.
      She was looking over her shoulder and batting her eyelashes ( which looked like the ones that are a current fad).
      She was calling out invitingly to her lovers.
      All I could do was gasp. The following morning when I opened my Bible the Book opened up to Hosea!
      Yes our nation has plated the HARLOT.
      There are grades of judgement.
      The Blood of the innocent is on our hands. The Church has not
      Radically stood up for the helpless.
      Only one of many abominations.
      YES ( all caps for emphasis)THERE IS a Visitation coming.
      We must ptake the offensive and
      Rout and or destroy the enemy.
      Many churches do not want to hear that message. So it is refreshing to read your post.

  9. Alma Carson

    Thank you Sir, for your wisdom. We join with others in grieving what has happened. May GOD use your words to comfort and to direct. Alma Carson

    On Mon, Jul 29, 2019 at 12:59 AM Mario Murillo Ministries wrote:

    > mariomurilloministries posted: “Again, we process a nameless horror. > Gilroy California is drenched in innocent blood. Everything else should > pale in significance. Here’s the report so far: Bloody scenes as terrified > revelers run for their lives when ‘shooter in fatigues opens fire w” >

  10. Audrey Wright

    Thank you Mario, this is the first I’ve heard of this. So sorry, praying and in agreement with you.

  11. Vanya Were

    I agree with you Wesley it is true the world is turning it’s back on God. Heart felt sympathy and prayers for those caught in this horror. I am in Canada at the moment returning to my home in New Zealand tomorrow. Always believe and have hope no matter what.

  12. Susan Drum

    Thank you for your love and sound advice Pastor Murillo. I will pray for those who have lost loved ones and have been traumatized. I pray the Lord’s love be poured out on all of these lives. May the Fire of God touch each one of them!!!

  13. kingskid48

    Thank you for your kind and sound words during such a terrible time, Pastor Mario. This is an unspeakable horror, families going to a summer festival, as many of them have for years, just looking to have a nice, family time, away from politics and the problems of the day, only to be mowed down by a madman. As you stated, it’s something we cannot imagine, cannot get our minds around. My heart is broken for the families of those who suffered loss. May God heal their memories and emotions, for all of those present yesterday.

  14. mary moore

    Thank you Mario for saying it right!!! May God comfort them in a way only He can!! Thank you Lord!!!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  15. Michael Druckenmiller Sr

    There are no correct words to say… It is a horrendous deed the result of kicking Jehovah out of daily life in America…

    Unfortunately, in spite of the quick response of the police, had persons with concealed carry been there, could there have been a greatly reduced casualty count? I think so.

    Jesus once asked the disciples if they had swords, they replied here are two, Jesus said it was enough. Enough for what? In my view deterrence, increased risk to the potential malefactors.

    We have a right and duty to self defense, especially in defense of others.

    I had a 3 by 5 card made up once that stated: The angel of the Lord camps around them that fear Him. The owner of the house if a Born Again Christian who is not afraid to die… If you get past the angel.. You’re Mine! (I’d make them again but lost the angel picture I used, drat!)

  16. Patricia Anderson

    I love your posts. Thank you.

    Si vis pacem, para bellum

    exchangeclubofkf.com

    >

  17. Bobbie

    This is Clarion Call also to PRAY, ALL Churches/Pastors and the people who believe in the power of prayer come together and FAST, PRAY AND REPENT, AND REPENT AND PRAY, FAST and Worship and Pray/Speak the Bible-WORD. Put aside ALL dead methods and programs and formula’s and FAST, PRAY AND REPENT. Don’t wait till it’s a sovereign move of God, and OR, TOO LATE if the evil powers at be take Freedom of Worship away and worse which is addressed in Battle Hymn by John Scura/Dane Phillips and “The Planned Destruction of America by Dr. James W. Wardner and “Behold A Pale Horse” by William Cooper and David Kupelian reads etc.,
    If, you attend a church building and they’re still the dead preaching to the dead GOD HAVE GREAT MERCY ON THIS NATION AND THE WORLD!
    Front row seat is your either for God or for satan, no middle ground; NEVER has been never will be! Revelations 3:16-18!
    Joshua 24:14-15
    14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
    15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

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