We’ve just experienced violence in our lives close to home – and it hurts, and we know that it is nor right and just.
The least we can do to live according to God’s will in our world today is to have true compassion with all those who suffer from all the obvious and maybe not so obvious forms of violence in this world today.
To pray for them. To help wherever we can. If we feel we can’t help ourselves, to look for people who can. To speak up for those who suffer. To interfere, if we can, and to not look away when we witness violence against any of our brothers or sisters, or all of God’s creation, for that matter.
To be honest with ourselves: we may not actively commit any acts of violence, but we are part of a system where violence in expected and, sometimes even condoned or even justified.
We live in a world that is still far from heaven.  Yet: the kingdom of God is already growing among us.  God’s will is done, often in small and unnoticed ways.  There is still hope. And we all are bearers of this hope. 
We all have the power to do God’s will – and thus help God’s kingdom grow just a little more. And whenever we do see glimpses of God’s kingdom, moments when justice and peace kiss each other, and there is relief from suffering, hopefully we are encouraged and will want more of this and live more and more faithfully into this vision.
In the midst of sadness, shock and horror, we cannot succumb to despair.  Despite what happened last night in Lewiston, Maine, the world is not a booby-trapped battleground.  The world, our world, is a sacrament of God’s presence.
Jesus Christ died for this vision.  Jesus Christ died for us and for all of God’s beloved creation.
So may our fervent prayer be: Our Father, who art in heaven.  Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done – on earth – as it is in heaven.