WWJD?

By Peter Vuono

   After seeing the death of an innocent at the hands of law enforcement in Minneapolis last week ; I drew my own opinions and conclusions from the Bible. In the days of John the Baptist, the closest thing to police were soldiers. They came to John who was even revered by Herrod and asked, "What should we do"? John replied, "Plunder no one and accuse no one falsely". Plunder means taking another's goods or property  by force. I think it's easy to say that the death of a helpless individual at the hands of the police goes way beyond plundering and the 4 should be punished accordingly.
   Then I thought about the rioting and looting. Didn't Martin Luther King Jr. say,"Darkness cannot drive out darkness ;only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"? I don't ever recall Dr. King inciting the  violence that we see today as an adjunct to the protesting which, in itself is just.
   Many innocents can be injured such as fire fighters, bystanders and shop owners. If a person's car is destroyed or his business looted, it effects his or her family and livelihood. The loss of one's property and business can only trickle down to others who are innocent. Some of us in Massachusetts well remember Victoria Snelgrove, who at age 21 was shot in the eye with a misplaced pepper ball killing her for only being a bystander at an out of hand Red Sox victory celebration in 2004.
   So what possible biblical referenced could I allude to in my denouncing of violence? Some of us remember the scenario in the Garden of Gethsemane 2000 years ago. When Jesus was about to be taken into custody by the high priests, Peter decided to get violent. He drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus rebuked him saying,"Put up thy sword. For those that live by the sword die by the sword". He then touched the servant's ear, healing him completely. A strong statement 2000 years ago and a strong statement now. Many didn't listen or take heed to what he said then and I marvel at why 2000 years later too many of us still do not listen or take heed now.