amid the allegations

St John Chrysostom talks to us today in A Year with the Church Fathers about how those who hurt others receive a worse result than those who are hurt. He points out that, for example, those who are martyred receive a great reward, and their suffering is turned into rejoicing. But those who killed them receive great guilt and punishment.

This is important to remember during this time when the media is going crazy with sexual abuse allegations. We should first of all remember to pray for those who are falsely accused, because their names will forever be tarnished with suspicion because of the allegation. But we should also pray for those who actually ARE guilty of sexual abuse. What they've done is wrong, and they should face consequences for their actions, including prosecution. But they also need prayers for hope, that they don't give up on their lives. They have to live with the guilt and shame of what they've done for the rest of their lives. And of course, it should go without saying that we should pray for those who are victims of the abuse. The suffering that they've experienced combined with the shame of hiding the fact for years. Everyone involved in these allegations needs prayer.

This also brings us to the atrocities committed by mass shooters in the last few years. Mass shootings have been a problem for a long time, but the media frenzy that follows every incident makes the shooters into instant celebrities, even if they are infamous rather than famous. But we should also pray for the victims of the shootings, the families of those victims, AND for the shooters themselves. They are certainly the enemy of humanity - and God commands us to pray for our enemies.

That's alot of praying. Good thing we're instructed to pray without ceasing, right? And if you have trouble finding the compassion to pray for sexual abusers or mass shooters - just ask Him to grow that love in your heart. He's good at that.

God, thank You for teaching us to forgive and pray for our enemies. Please help us do that.