Police tape and flowers

Today I went into the CBD and decided to visit the memorial sites that have sprung up along Bourke Street since the incident on Friday.  Five people have now died, the youngest being a three month-old baby.

People were paying their respects, mingling, taking photos and leaving flowers.  Chaplains and the Red Cross were dotted throughout the crowd, assessing people for signs of distress.

I felt a little abashed as I took these photos.  It felt voyeuristic, and even though I didn't derive pleasure from it,  I wasn't exactly proud of myself.  
 

This has shaken so many people. I began thinking of people who live with this horror and violence on a daily basis - Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, the list could go on.  It must shred their souls and  minds.  

I will now begin to try to write a sermon on the Beatitudes - "Blessed are the peacemakers..."