An overwhelming week?

I have been heartbroken this past week for the victims and their families, for the fear and pain that permeate our country right now, and for the anger that holds so many hearts.  I have also been encouraged by the outpouring of prayers, money and supplies, blood donations, etc., that have gone to ease the need in those places hit by tragedy.  In tears, I responded to a friend that once again said how overwhelming this week of tragedy had been, and it hit me... Why was this week any more overwhelming than any other week? 

Please do not misunderstand me, as I do not want to discount the tragedy of the losses experienced this week here in our country and in our communities.  I grieve with those who lost loved ones, who lost their homes, who lost their security.  I only question why we do not feel overwhelmed every week, every day, because although these incidents happened "close to home," other tragedies occur every day all around the world.  We share the pictures of the fallen on the news, the children lost especially, but do we fail to recognize that children are dying of malnutrition, AIDS, and at the hands of terrorists in other communities at alarming numbers every day.  They live a bit further out, and we do not show their class pictures on the evening news (they probably have no school, little less  class pictures), but they are just as dead at the end of the day.  Communities live in constant fear of bombing raids and worst, yet their stories are not posted on our Facebook pages.  We do not send out prayers for them, or money, or supplies, or blood donations....  Even here at home, we fail to recognize that our neighbors are hungry, homeless, and without hope.  We do not consider the child who goes home to an empty apartment, fearing the noises and neighbors that surround him.  We do not consider the child who hides from fighting adults, afraid she will take the blow of their anger.  We do not consider the ill, mentally and/or physically who are denied health care and medications because of political  feuds and medical protocol.  We do not consider the faceless people that do not appear on our news screens or Facebook posts, and so we forget that the needs always exist, and the prayers should always be lifted, and the week is always overwhelming. 

Perhaps it's easier to block out all the bad news, to be able to wipe away tears and move on with life.  This week will fade for many, and the communities will resume a new normal that allows us all to go back to a renewed sense of security.  We are already feeling the relief as we scapegoat a few individuals that seemed to hold our security in their hands.  They are dead and in custody, and we celebrate???

I fear that we will all-too-soon resume a comfortable normal again, and our desire to help and our prayers will dwindle.  I fear this more than any young men with bombs.  I fear that we will continue to overlook the constantly overwhelming needs in our communities, both near and far.  I fear that we will fail to see the faces that are not broadcast on mass-media because we do not want to feel overwhelmed again like we did this week.  I pray.  I pray that we will continue to lift up prayers.  I pray that we will continue to offer aid and seek ways to show love and help those in need.  I pray that we will see the faces of those with tragedies of their own, and that we will learn to see them as sisters and brothers, as children of God.  I pray that we will continue to face (and recognize) overwhelming weeks, and that we may meet them with the overwhelming love and support that we showed this week to those who experienced these very public tragedies.  I am encouraged by the heroes and helpers of this week, and I pray that this spirit will not dwindle as the news turns to new news stories.  I pray that we may seek peace.  I pray that  we may show love.  I pray that we will continue to pray...  I pray.