BOSTON HORROR .. .

       I fell in love with the City of Boston many years ago when a seminary student there.  Many life-long friendships have  their origins in those times.  On Patriots' Day in 1961, several of us walked a few blocks over to watch the runners approach the finish line of the famed Boston Marathon.  The Kingston Trio had their hit song about the "M.T.A.", the Boston subway, that has been a long-time nostalgic favorite.  In the aftermath of the horror that happened there today, I remembered the opening lines to that song...albeit in a totally different mindset than the Trio used it:
   "These are the times that try men's souls.  In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened.  Today a new crisis has arisen . . ."

    President Obama echoed those sentiments in his televised response to today's events.  "Reason" struggles to comprehend this horror.  Words fail; emotions flail; and misery is everywhere.  For those physically impacted by the explosions and those emotionally wounded, our spirits grieve. And, this goes beyond Boston.  It is against all that is human and humane that someone or someone(s) has levied this assault.  Fear must not have the last say.  In the aftermath, we are all "Bostonians".  May we "rally bravely" in the face of  this threat.

     Satchel