Any time that a tragedy occurs, analysts are quick to go on television shows, write articles, and make other public appearances to discuss what went wrong and how it could have and should have been avoided. The larger the tragedy, the more attention it receives and the longer it is examined. We have seen this type of analysis take place in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, the attacks of September 11, and various shootings at high schools througout the years. And just two weeks ago our nation watched in horror as over 45 innocent people were shot on the campus of Virginia Tech by a lone gunman bent on causing as much human carnage as possible.

This gunman from South Korea shared a characteristic that seems to be similar to almost all of the high school shooters over the years who have attacked their classmates: he was a loner. Unlike the attackers of September 11 (who were religiously motivated) and Timothy McVey of the Oklahoma City bombing (who was anti-government motivated) who were motivated for very specific reasons, this shooter seemed to be motivated by the need for attention. I have read a countless number of bloggs/news reports saying that he had a particular religious motivation or was against a certain religion or whatever the speculation may be. However, like the gunmen in the other school shootings, he was a loner, full of rage, and seemed to have no close friends.

I mention all of this for a specific reason that is difficult for me to admit publicly: I am often critical - in one way or another - of those who are very different from me. I must remind myself that we are all created equally in the eyes of God. And although I never laugh to be intentionally critical or cruel-hearted, the result is the same. Those who know they are viewed differently feel the shame and embarrassment that comes with any type of ridicule. I wonder whether this gunman - who apparently had no social skills, no friends, and no confidants - would have been bent on such a rampage of evil if he had been made aware how important he was to at least one other human being… a person who cared about him. He may or may not have been the subject of ridicule but did anyone really even notice him? My thought for this month is this: How many people who are in emotional pain around us are being overlooked simply because we are too busy to stop and say hello? Was this tragedy inevitable or was it one that could have been avoided? As always, I look forward to your comments.