As we continue our reflection on the growing scourge of violence in our communities, we need to ask a question: Why is this happening now? A simple glance at news articles and commentaries reveal that there is no shortage of reasons being cited for this increase. Among them are the effects of Covid, the rise of mental illness, the influence of gangs, the growth of illegal guns that are falling into the hands of criminals, the increasing use of drugs and alcohol and the effects of violence becoming more prevalent in all forms of media. It is reasonable to assume that all of these factors play a role in this epidemic of violence in our cities and neighborhoods. The long list also makes clear how difficult it will be to eradicate violence from our midst. It will be a project that will demand perseverance and determination for years to come.
From my vantage point as a leader of faith, I also feel compelled to add one more hidden factor to the list mentioned above. It is the spiritual disease of placing ourselves at the center of our lives. While we can call this tendency egotistical, selfishness, or simply pride, our culture has glorified and perpetuated an unbridled preoccupation with getting what we want, when we want it and on the terms that we want. Society speaks to us in many ways, consciously and unconsciously, that the only thing that matters is me. And while in most cases people can control their reactions (more or less) when they cannot get what they want, for some people, it can easily lead to a violent reaction against whomever or whatever stands in their way. For if violence is the use of power to overwhelm your opponent, it is no mistake that violence has increased in our world at the same time that an attitude of self-centeredness has taken center stage.
The first act of violence narrated in Sacred Scripture is the episode of Cain killing his brother Abel. How sad it is to consider that not much has changed since humanity left Eden.
The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly homilies.
