Deacon Mike: Boat club tragedy is calling the community to unite

Every now and then, something rocks a community to its core and takes us out of our rhythm of life. I believe that accurately describes the incident involving the tragic accident in Swan Creek. I think it's fair to say that the gravity of this loss of children and the nature of the circumstances have caused many to hit pause in search of meaning. We have questions, mostly of God, and in truth, the questions demand an answer. Why, Lord? What possible purpose could a God who otherwise loves us and who created us out of love, have in allowing this to happen? Why? How?

I’m certainly mindful that many in the faith community are serving their flocks well and are providing comfort and support to the people they are called to serve. Suffice it to say, this is where the value of our faith and our faith communities step into their greatest purpose.

But even before we seek answers, I would first encourage all of us to turn our hearts in support of those involved in this tragedy. Indeed, the outpouring of support for the family who suffered the tragic loss of children has been overwhelming. I would also encourage us to remember that there were many involved in this tragedy who have suffered interminably, including first responders whose lives are forever changed. As hard as it may be, I encourage us to look at this as one loss and pray for all those who stand in the shadow of that loss. Let our prayer be scattered wide so that, like the sower of the seed in the gospel, it might fall where God knows it most needs healing and peace.

So what then is God’s purpose in all this? Let’s first understand that there is nothing in Scripture that would even remotely suggest that our good and loving Creator would cause such tragedy or would somehow ordain the circumstances of this tragedy. From the story of creation itself, when sin entered the world through the choice of our ancestors, death came with it. Tragedy has been part of our story ever since, including the seemingly senseless death of the Innocents at the hands of Herod. Tragedy is part of our story, but we don't have to like it, and when it falls on us, it should never feel right or good.

So then why, how? I would submit that we will not fully understand the answer to that question in this life. Since we lack the complete picture of our own lives and of the world, and since we can't see into the future, things that happen here, even though they demand meaning, can never fully be understood here. Only God has all the pieces of the puzzle to see the complete picture of each of our lives. As for me, I surrender the need for meaning, and I don’t consider that to be cheap grace or some sort of a cop out. Rather, I just inherently trust that God can bring good out of anything, because I’ve seen it time and time again.

As I have prayed long and hard about the "why" question, acknowledging that there are many other responses that are rich and full of meaning, I believe each of us are created for a purpose, even children. I don't fully understand my own purpose, let alone presuppose the purpose in which God created others. But the Scriptures make it very clear that there is a purpose for each of our lives, young and old, believers and unbelievers. Some have been created solely to be the soulmate of a life partner, the mom or dad of a child, the caregiver of someone in need, or for some, professions who sacrifice their lives for the well-being of others.

I would submit to you that one of the purposes of the children we lost in this tragedy is to draw this community together around a cause for justice and hope in ways I haven’t frankly witnessed for many years. These children, this tragedy, have caused many to look deeply at their own lives and particularly where they are in their relationship to God.  And frankly, if only one person surrenders their life to God through all this, or even one person is energized to serve God by serving others, then the lives of these children, and indeed this tragedy itself, are not in vain.

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In John’s Gospel (Chapter 14), Jesus encourages us not to allow our hearts to be troubled and to turn to him in faith.  If we are seeking understanding in this tragedy; if this has brought you to your knees seeking a deeper meaning for your own life, I’m not sure there’s a greater place to put all this than squarely at the foot of the cross.

Deacon Mike Stewart serves the Monroe Catholic Family of Parishes, St. Mary Catholic Central High School, Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools and the first responder community. He can be reached at dcnmike@stmarymonroe.org.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Deacon Mike: Boat club tragedy is calling the community to unite