Do not repay evil for evil

The following was the first story in a weekly Sojourners email I get. I had to read it twice before the facts sunk in: the community of the five murdered and five injured girls not only says "we will forgive you" but backs that up with action by establishing funds not only for the grieving, but for the murderer's family as well. What a great example of how we of faith should live in the world.

What was it Jesus said? Something about loving enemies? And Paul had something to say about this too, right?

"We will forgive you."

- unnamed Amish neighbor, while embracing the father of Charles Carl Roberts IV, the gunman who killed five Amish schoolchildren and injured five others before taking his own life Monday morning. (source: Lancaster New Era)

Members of the community have established funds both for the families of those killed and wounded (the Amish do not have health insurance), and for the family of Roberts, who leaves behind a wife and two young children. Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service are also coordinating support for those affected.