A few days ago I wrote a post about the Las Vegas massacre, but I'd like to say more.

From what I can tell this villainous crime, on par with 9/11 and Sandy Hook, has taken its toll on our people. It should not surprise us to find that we are suffering to some degree from "critical incident stress" and/or "post traumatic stress."

But alas I am a pastor and not a psychologist, and so the cure I prescribe is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not simply as something to recall to mind, but a reality in which we participate each Sunday. In God's House liturgy, prayers, hymns, readings and above all the Holy Communion we have with God through Christ soothes our souls, and gives us consolation in the face of death. And don't forget about the sights (our new crucifix), smells, colors, logic, order and beauty of God's House which also serve to calm the troubled heart. With David let us say: I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the House of the Lord."

But you needn't wait till Sunday. Every Lutheran should have a hymnal at home, ready at hand, so that he can pray his favorite prayers, and sing his favorite hymns. And don't forget your catechism. Specifically the explanation to the First Article of the Creed which says:

"I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true."

And the Seventh Petition of the Lord's Prayer, "But deliver us from evil":

What does this mean? We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

Lastly remember that Jesus is "the Resurrection and the Life," the "Firstborn from among the dead," and that as such he has the final word over sin and death. And it will be a good word. A word of benediction and gladness.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all." Amen.