Many of us have expressed our grief and horror over the tragic and unnecessary death of Jacob yesterday. We have all asked ourselves “How?” and “Why?” We have all heard the kids say, “He was bullied,” or “He didn’t have anyone.” We’ve heard people ask, “Where were the teachers?” “Where were the counselors?” “Why didn’t someone stop the bullying?” “Why didn’t someone do something to help?” The questions that keep gnawing at ME are, “Where was I?” “What could I have done?” “How could I have helped?” No, I didn’t know Jacob, and I fully realize that there was nothing I could have done to prevent this tragedy. However, I have to ask myself, are there other Jacobs that I DO know? Am I doing MY best, as clergy, as a Christian, as an adult, as a human being, to be available to children and young adults, or anyone else who is suffering? Am I being an example of how to show love to everyone, regardless of age, sex, gender-identity, sexual preference, socio-economic status, race or any of the other labels that we tend to give our fellow travelers on this planet?

Following in that line of thinking, I need to ask, “Where were YOU?” Even if you didn’t know Jacob, do you know others like him? Are there those whom you might be neglecting, or simply passing by, who need you? Yes, we are all involved in our own lives and in the lives of our families, however, we are, all of us, children of God, each deserving love and respect. We are told that “it takes a village to raise a child,” and this was never more apparent than now. We often think, “It’s none of my business.” However, to paraphrase Dickens in “A Christmas Carol” MANKIND is our business! Further, we are told in Genesis that we are, indeed, “our brother’s keeper.” Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NIV) Our Savior illustrated this in the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37.)

We were all horrified by some of the comments posted on Facebook regarding the death of Jacob. But how many of us are guilty of the same? How many of us have participated in bullying as adults, making rude comments, saying hurtful things, or calling each other inappropriate names? I’ve witnessed it on Facebook time and time again. I’ve had to learn that if I wouldn’t say it to Christ’s face, or in His presence, it probably shouldn’t be said. We know that our children learn by example. I have to wonder what that young man who was so terrible last night had learned from his parents. What have our kids learned from us? What lessons do we teach them, not even realizing that we’re teaching them? What words, what names, come out of OUR mouths that if our children said, they’d be grounded?

So that Jacob’s death not be in vain, it is my prayer that we, all of us, can learn from this tragedy and actively “love our neighbor as ourselves,” become more active participants in the lives of those around us, and to work to prevent the loss of another child of God. Amen.