Editorial | Seek virtue over violence, not retribution

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"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for He makes His sun rise on the bad and good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust." Matthew 5:43-5

The death of Osama bin Laden, without doubt the world's most notorious terrorist leader, has evoked an overwhelming response by millions worldwide unequalled since the devastating attacks upon our country nearly 10 years ago. Such was inevitable, and the torrent of emotion unleashed is quite understandable.

No one can deny the indescribable heartache or staggering grief burned into our souls forever by terrorist acts that we have been made to suffer. Nor should we try to forget. This tragic legacy is a part of us — an unspeakably painful part — that brings us to our knees and from which our spirits can recover only with the help of the Lord of all healing, Jesus. Indeed, we cannot begin to measure the healing grace already poured upon us.

We remember, as we must; and we are deepened in our determination to ensure that such attacks never again befall us — or any other on earth. We must be tireless in our vigilance, as our persecutors remain relentless in the quest to destroy us. We owe a debt beyond price or repayment to so many who, in every moment, are dedicated to our protection — the militaries, intelligence communities and first responders throughout the world. They selflessly risk their lives that so many more might live. They merit our strongest and deepest prayers and love.

We must be no less aware and responsive to the grave temptation to which we so easily fall prey: the fully destructive tendency toward unquenchable thirst for vengeance and dehumanizing rage whereby we lose sight of the sanctity of life — innocent or guilty. No matter how grave the evil visited upon us, we must not allow ourselves to embrace the very bloodlust we decry.

Our model, lest we be brought down to that hatred, is Jesus, whose prayer on the cross was: "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34).

Indeed, only loving our enemies and blessing our persecutors can distinguish our discipleship from those who do not share our Christian faith. If we return hatred for hatred, we cannot possibly speak to the world. Such would be merely to play by the world's own rules; no more than "business as usual." What makes the life of Christ so striking is His unconditional love. Just so, our love cannot be reserved merely for those who love us. "Even sinners love those who love them" (Luke 06:32).

So much of the revelry over the event of this death has wounded our own spirit. As a cruel irony, it is eerily reminiscent of so much celebration by our persecutors as the Twin Towers collapsed. Our joy must be for the triumph of virtue over violence, not the finality of death or the exacting of retribution. It would be wrong, however, to take satisfaction in "getting our evens."

Regrettable as it is, there are times when only violence can prevent even greater evil. St. Augustine of Hippo, who articulated the Just War Theory, understood this well — as did Mahatma Gandhi, great champion of pacifism. Violence, however, must always be our last recourse, not our first. Bin Laden's death was an unavoidable and necessary step taken to ensure the safety and protection of the world.

There are many in the world who consider us "infidels." They feel it is their obligation to destroy us. Our Christianity, however, demands that we seek — not to destroy, but to convert and to make believers of those who do not share our faith. We cannot do this on our own, but we are never alone. We have Jesus Christ, our True Shepherd — the only one who truly can refashion the most hardened of hearts.

We commend to Christ all who seek to destroy us. We pledge to work with the Spirit of God in this conversion of hearts which all on earth so need, and look forward to being healed and made one together in Christ the Healer forever.