We are bombarded regularly with information about shootings that involve a child. With each shooting, we can feel lost or numb to the “bigness” of each incident. When a shooting is the lead story on every network, the memories of the last shooting flood in and we are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and statistics at each reporting.
Many may be reluctant to observe Rachel’s Day (an annual Women of the ELCA day of remembrance of children killed by gun violence and advocacy for child safety) because guns are a polarizing issue. Scripture can help you find common ground. In Matthew 2:16–18, we see that children have been objects of violence for thousands of years.
Read verse 18. Rachel’s actions can become the resolve we need to say, “enough is enough.” Rachel refused to be comforted, and Scripture implies that her weeping went on for a long time. Yes, many may believe that gun violence is part of our culture, and we can do nothing about it. But Rachel was not deterred. Her actions bore witness to the urgency and gravity of the situation and the determination and resolve to do something.
Rachel’s Day is observed annually on the first Sunday in May.
This message is excerpted from “Rachel’s Day, beginning with me” a 2025 resource of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandra, 373.
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