A Pastoral Response to School Shootings: If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?

“Why?” is the first question I ask myself!

Since the Columbine tragedy in April 1999, where twelve students and one teacher were murdered, this haunting question, “But why?” echoes persistently through each new, senseless massacre.

After another devastating shooting, this time at Robb Elementary School in Texas, I find myself asking again—perhaps asking God—“My God, why?” Nineteen children. Two teachers. Dead. Gone. Forever. We grieve not only for the lives lost but for the futures these young ones could have shaped, the countless lives the teachers might have touched. This is the heavy cost we continue to bear.

Turning on social media, I’m met with countless opinions on how to address school shootings. Some suggest arming teachers. I asked my 12-year-old son, Brody, how he’d feel about that. He responded, “It would scare me. They aren’t trained special operators.” His friend added, “How would we know some teacher wouldn’t lose it and turn it on us?” These children, our children, know fear and uncertainty where they should feel safe.

Others propose a sweeping removal of all firearms, even those family heirlooms tucked away in closets—an old single-shot 20 gauge passed from generation to generation. But these debates, while passionate, seldom lead to real change.

A Call for Change

The most painful reality is that, as a nation, many rush to defend gun rights before we even process the bloodshed of children in their classrooms. This response is not only deeply troubling but a moral crisis—one that pierces the soul.

My own experiences as a former military chaplain, witnessing the unimaginable, have forever scarred my heart. But today, I forced myself to confront a brutal truth: since the 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy, over 300 school shootings have occurred in the U.S., with more than 46 shootings in the past year alone, leading to numerous deaths and injuries.

Imagine a world where any disturbed individual can legally purchase a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition immediately upon turning eighteen. In Texas, this reality came with the 2021 legislation allowing anyone over twenty-one to openly carry a firearm without a permit, training, or background check—a law proudly touted as the “biggest and best” of the legislative session.

As I read these statistics and thought about the state of our country, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness and disappointment. How have we allowed ourselves to become so desensitized to violence, especially when it involves innocent children? How have we let fear and anger cloud our judgment and prevent us from taking necessary action to protect our communities?

I believe that this is a spiritual problem. As human beings, we are all connected through our shared humanity. When one part of society suffers, we all suffer. And yet, instead of coming together in love and compassion to address the root causes of these tragedies, we turn against each other in defense of guns. But what are we really defending ? Is it our right to own weapons designed for war and mass destruction? Or is it our egos, our fear of losing control, our need to feel powerful and protected?

As I reflect on these questions, I am reminded of the words of spiritual teacher Thich Nhat Hanh: “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

Maybe instead of arming ourselves with more weapons, we should arm ourselves with mindfulness and compassion.

Lessons from Abroad

Following a tragic school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland, in 1996 that killed 15 children and a teacher, the UK acted decisively. Lawmakers passed stringent gun control measures, and there have been no school shootings since. This example illustrates that with courageous legislation and a commitment to protect children, change is possible.

They passed strict gun control laws and implemented a national buyback program for firearms. And it worked.

I believe we can learn from this example. We can have stricter regulations on gun ownership, invest in mental health resources, and create safer environments for our children without infringing on anyone’s rights. But first, we must be willing to let go of our fear and anger and open our hearts to each other.

Let us not forget the power of love and compassion in healing our communities. Let us choose a path that values human lives over guns, that prioritizes peace over violence. It may not be easy or quick, but it is necessary if we truly want to see an end to these senseless

A Hope for Renewal

Our bishop once reminded us of the prophet Ezekiel’s words: “I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I believe this transformation is essential, a revival of the commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

True courage is exemplified by those willing to sacrifice even a cherished family firearm to save a life. This spirit of selflessness and protection would indeed make our ancestors proud.

As Jesus said to Peter, “Put up your sword. All who live by the sword will die by the sword.” – Matt 26:52

Now is the time for wisdom, for “wisdom is better than weapons of war.” – Eccl 9:18

Let us move beyond debates and towards a comprehensive reform that honors the lives lost and protects the future of our children.