Eye on the World: communities uniting against violence

The 118th Boston Marathon will take place on April 21, as 36,000 official runners — the second-largest field in the event’s history — will run from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, across the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. More than a million spectators are expected to line the course in a show of solidarity after last year’s Marathon was rocked by two bombs placed near the finish line.

Meanwhile, teachers are returning to Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, which was closed after a student harmed 22 people in a knife attack last week. Before the school reopens, students will be allowed to walk the school halls with their families, and a prayer service will be held outside. And in Kansas City, Kansas, interfaith prayer services are being held to help the community heal after three people were killed in attacks that police say were motivated by anti-Semitism.

The light that paralyzes evil” explains how our prayers can shine the light of God on the darkness that is evil, paralyzing it and giving activity to good. As we pray for Boston and Murrysville, we can recognize that God does not permit evil thoughts or intentions to lurk in the corners of thinking. The Christ disarms any such motives and reveals God’s care for His creation.

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