“The song is ended but the melody lingers on.”

It's disconcerting; there's a lingering feeling of familiarity, as if we've treaded these paths before, yet genuine transformation appears to be a distant hope. I stand firm in my decision not to get entangled in the current social media frenzy, the very debate that seems to consume everyone's attention. My honest desire is for us all to shift our focus towards healing and proactive measures, striving to regain our collective humanity and nurture genuine care for each other.

In all honesty, innocent lives were tragically lost, and the immediate response was to turn against one another. Lives of immeasurable value were extinguished, and our collective mindset seems fixated on proving points and winning debates. Are we, as a society, losing touch with our ability to empathize and show compassion? The kind of compassion that Jesus embodied and advocated for during his time on Earth—the compassion we often preach about from our sacred pulpits. It's a compassion that endures and grows stronger even in the face of disappointment triggered by someone's actions.

Hold your children close each night, give them warm kisses and tight hugs as they drift off to sleep. Pray for them as we drop them off at school. Pray for those struggling with mental health issues and even to those with whom we disagree. Above all, let us embrace love and understanding for one another, nurturing a more compassionate and empathetic world.

-Frsoto