Newtown Good Friday

The Good Friday Reflection Embraces our World

In Memoriam

The Children and People

of Sandy Hook 

Elementary School

Newtown, CT

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love

will have the final word in reality.

This is why right temporarily defeated

is stronger than evil triumphant."
Martin Luther King

The tragic slaughter of school children in Newtown, CT brings us all to our kneels with fervent prayers for the victims, the wounded and for all of their families: Lord have mercy. I hear the sound of Holy Innocents slain by Herod to murder the Christ Child.

'A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled,

because they are no more.'

                                                                                       (Matthew 2 18)

The connection with our Christian story is our only hope. No tragic death removes life itself, and all lives are forever in the hands of the risen Christ. Let there be no rationalizations--this is an unspeakable horror. But let the Light shine in the darkness which has never put it out. In our faith, "life is changed, not ended, and... there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens." (Episcopal Prayer Book, p. 382)

Prayer for Sandy Hook Elementary School

Newtown, Connecticut

By Kelvin Holdsworth

Eternal God,

hear your diverse people
as a world unites in prayer and compassion
for the people of Newtown Connecticut.
We pray for all involved in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Bless with your kindness those who speak to the broken-hearted.
Bless the teachers, paramedics, medical staff and police
with courage, skill and wisdom.
Bless those who mourn.
Bless those who grieve
and comfort the bewildered.
Help us each to build a world safe and fit for children.
Amen. Amen. Amen.