It is 3 AM and I am awake, disturbed significantly by the pain we cause one another. About a month ago, this young man of 28, Beau
Butschke , was murdered senselessly  —

“…No man is an island…any man’s death diminishes me

because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send

to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”

John Donne

XVII. MEDITATION.

The death of Beau, brought  John Donne’s poem to my mind.  Bells that rang in memory of Beau’s short life, were also tolling for each of us.
The bell toll is calling us to wake up!  If there is any meaning or solace that can be attributed to this horrific act of violence, let the death of Beau not be in
vain.  Let his life call us to promote the good in each other.  Beau was a young man who lived with promise. He was part of each of us.

So many acts of violence occur daily here in this country and around the world.  We need to breathe
new hope for one another.  We need to be there for one another so that evil does not prevail and destroy us all.  Where is that cry today of responsibility for
one another? Why is life suddenly so cheap? What is causing so much anger in our world?

The news story told of his renter, a man in his 50’s, who had stolen Beau’s rifle two weeks earlier. This man was emptying the barrel
when Beau appeared on the scene. His question of “What are you doing?” was answered with a bullet…and then another…and then Beau breathed no more. Is life
was over and without asking his permission. The life of the assailant will no doubt end in prison. A third person is also added to the list of death…an 18
year old, who the assailant took under his wing several weeks earlier. Together they feasted in Beau’s home, eating his food, while his dead body lay concealed
in a storage unit. Meanwhile, Beau’s parents were suffering with the agony of knowing he had disappeared but not knowing where.  The suspects were caught separately as the
younger was looking for shelter and the assailant was attempting to flee the state.

The news story is done but Beau’s story is not done. When reading about Beau’s funeral, someone remarked that if something unpleasant happened, he would turn it around and
“give it a positive spin.”

Let Beau’s young life be a symbol of LIFE AFFIRMATION.  However small, let us help each other to grow and to love and not hurt each other.  Let his life become a ‘’positive  spin” for humanity.

Each person has a responsibility for the other. When one of us dies, a little of each of us dies also.  We need to encourage life and we need to realize that whatever positive
action we take, we are affirming life!

We offer his parents God’s tender blessings.

http://www.online-literature.com/donne/409/

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