Dear Jesus,
It could have been any of us, resting after a race or cheering someone else in.
Terrorism―targeting innocent civilians to instill widespread panic―worked for a while, because there was fear and chaos.
Perhaps it was only one person who planted those bombs, but there were thousands who helped afterwards, risking injury and exhaustion, to help the wounded and to find out who was responsible and why.
Thousands of people acted like you would have, Jesus.
Millions prayed on behalf of those injured and their families.
Thank you for being close to those in Boston who are suffering pain and loss.
Discourage people from becoming fearful and suspicious of each other.
Bring conversion to the heart of the perpetrators so that they will turn themselves in, helping them see that there is no victory in killing, no success.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through your mercy, rest in peace.
Amen.
