what is justice? last night's news and an anthology of tweets

A collection of people's tweets and facebook statuses from the day after Osama bin Laden was killed.

V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts; R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people. BCP, p. 152 (The Supplication)

"Love does not rejoice in evil and about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out" (1 Corinthians 13:6).

"Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble, or else the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from them." --Proverbs 24:17-18

Indeed, the absence of Osama Bin Laden makes for a better world. But instead of shouting, "USA, USA" shouldn't we cry, "Lord, have mercy upon us"? I like the statement from the Vatican's press secretary, Father Federico Lombardi: "In the face of a man’s death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men..."

I don't feel any safer that he's dead...so why? I'm just going to keep my mind and heart focused on the one who conquered death, not the one who was conquered and now dead. God save us all, and give us hearts of compassion and love for one another. Help us to create a heaven here as we wait for your return. In Jesus name - Amen!

slight panic attack this morning when the man who was talking on the radio didn't enunciate properly and I heard, "Obama is dead."....

This morning's statuses remind me of Donne. "never send to know for whom the bell tolls..."

The death of Obama was inevitable. He declared war and was a feared enemy. But the kind of celebration I'm hearing in the media and reading in various places reminds me of the shouting and dancing and celebration in many parts of the Middle East when the twin towers fell. If we're not careful, we will become what we hate. Sweet revenge is not necessarily a holy thing.

thinks that the death of my enemy is not a cause to celebrate.

mercy on mercy on mercy...

Let us never forget: Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:43-45

Obligatory Bin Laden status update

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"The girl married her prince. The bad guy is dead. It's a real Disney weekend, here on Earth."

Trying to go to sleep but keep thinking about woman used as human shield and killed in the attack. So much "justice" comes at cost of lives of powerless

Unbelievable scene - tons of people gathered around the White House tonight... what news...

Sending our absolute worst enemies to the grave in celebration is absolutely beyond me. Indeed, the wars have only begun, of that I am certain. Where is your peace found?

"O God, the Father of all, who Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." [BCP, 816]

It is a hard night. We should never cheer at the death of a human being for it makes us no better than our enemies. However, it is a cathartic moment. Let us all pray for those who keep us safe and those who have given so much.

feels some relief, but no joy. I'm so glad I don't have to make those decisions and I'm grateful for those that do make them. They aren't easy ones.

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral,
begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
Through violence you may murder the hater,
but you do not murder hate.
In fact, violence merely increases hate.
...So it goes.
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence,
adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. - MLK

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Osama bin Laden is dead.

BREAKING NEWS! Any minute now President Obama is making a startling announcement about National Security, important enough to suddenly do this this late at night (10:45 pm EDT). All the Press knows is that this is NOT about Libya or anything we might expect. TURN ON YOUR TV!

I'm sad that this world equates death with justice.