This past week we saw it again, this time on Facebook Live with a body camera that captured all the gruesome details—the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Over 50 people were killed, most at point blank range, by a 28-year-old man with a lengthy manifesto about the evils of Muslim immigration into his country. The stories were heart wrenching as people cried for mercy. The images of carnage imprinted in our minds. As the world watched and the tears streamed down our faces in horror and sadness we asked, “Again?” And the world nodded slowly, sadly, “Yes, again.” As pundits and lawmakers around the world try to make sense of what is senseless, many are quick to point a finger. Open gun laws Right wing extremists Open borders Muslim migration Zenophobia Nationalism Mental illness Has anyone mentioned sin? And not just sin as in poor choices. It seems to me running a stop light is a poor choice. Driving drunk is a poor choice. Adultery is a poor choice. Stealing, lying and cheating are all poor choices. But this? Merely a poor choice? Come on. Something more diabolical is at work here that goes beyond poor choices. This is Sin with a capital S. Shooting children in the arms of their mothers is evil. Standing in court with a smile and without remorse is sinister. Wanting to film the whole thing is demented. There is only one who is laughing with delight, and Evil is its name. What do we do? We look at gun laws, we examine background checks, we screen for extremists, we treat mental illness, we dialog with our neighbors, we do all of those things. But we also weep with those who weep. . .again. We also pray for those who are suffering. . .again. We also work for things that make for peace. . .again. We also overcome Evil with the one who is Good. . .again. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12) Lord have mercy Christ have mercy Lord have mercy Pastor Scott Suskovic