November 23, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Last Sunday we were made tragically aware of our frailty as human beings. As much as we want to control our future or our personal destinies, we must always realize that there are forces beyond our control. A joyful pre-Christmas parade ended in a tragic and senseless occurrence as a reckless criminal driver of an SUV plowed into the helpless parade participants, wreaking havoc for the entire community. A number were killed and injured. This was a pre-Christmas celebration meant to establish a spirit of seasonal joy but instead, like the slaughtered Holy Innocents, Waukesha streets were filled with the cries of our brothers and sisters and those who mourned for them.
Many will ask, “Where was God? Why did he allow this to happen?” Our answer to these and all the questions that challenge the difficulties of life is that we know God is with us, even in our darkest hours. Our ultimate destiny is to be with God. But encountering the hurts of life does not relieve us of the pain we must endure. Our faith now takes over and we know that the love of God is stronger than evil and conquers suffering and death, but we still grieve with our brothers and sisters and suffer the wounds of life.
Jesus suffered and died with and for us. The pre-Christmas parade was celebrating God’s Son coming into the world in the incarnation. It is a declaration that God is with us in all things, even suffering and death. Immediately in the face of the tragedy in our secularist society, I heard one voice after another call for prayers. There was only one answer to all the pains of life, and that is faith. To declare that faith in the face of suffering and death is the greatest witness one can offer, and prayer is our voice of confidence in God.
Many felt a solidarity with the people of Waukesha. It’s somewhat ironic that a tragedy forces us to understand our “connectedness”. We want to do something to ease the pain and fill the emptiness of loss. Many individuals at the event responded immediately using their skills to bring comfort and assistance to the injured brothers and sisters, while others learning of this terrible occurrence offered support.
We are but a couple of days away from Thanksgiving. Let us offer prayers for our brothers and sisters in the Waukesha tragedy who have died, and for those who were injured. Please give thanks for the gift of faith, understand the connectedness we have to our brothers and sisters, express a willingness to help, and know that we must be prepared for the ultimate response to life that can only be realized by loving God and following His command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
