Editorial

Teenager’s actions offer ‘an incredible example of Christian love’

There is plenty of news that could cause one to shake their head in disbelief these days.

Impeachment talk in Washington, thousands of fetal remains recently found in an abortion doctor’s home in Illinois now returned to their rightful place of rest in Indiana, and another mass shooting over the weekend—this one in Kansas City, Kan.—leaving four dead and five wounded.

What is someone to think when they see such nonstop chaos around nearly every corner? And we could argue these headlines offer only a small sampling here in the United States.

Initially, we may wonder: Why do these things happen? What is society coming to? Are we not called to love each other and be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers?

Thankfully, there are examples of goodness and faith to report as well, where the light of Christ shines through to overcome the darkness. The stories are seen through young and old, reminding us that God’s grace is available to all humanity.

In Dallas last week, we saw firsthand the power of a person’s heartfelt actions when the brother of a murder victim publicly forgave the person who killed his older brother.

Eighteen-year-old Brandt Jean forgave former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger in a courtroom on Oct. 2 even though she fatally shot his 26-year-old brother, Botham Jean, in his apartment last year.

The story made headlines when it occurred in September of 2018. Guyger said she believed Botham Jean was a burglar, but she was the one who entered his apartment without permission and later said she believed she was entering her own apartment. She shot and killed Botham Jean. Guyger last week was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years. Some were upset that Guyger wasn’t given a harsher sentence and protested what they viewed as a light sentence.

“I don’t want to say twice or for the 100th time what you’ve or how much you’ve taken from us. I think you know that. But I just, I hope you go to God with all the guilt, all the bad things you may have done in the past,” Brandt said in his victim impact statement to Guyger.

“I want the best for you. Because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do. The best would be to give your life to Christ. I’m not going to say anything else,” Brandt continued. “I think giving your life for Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again, I love you as a person, and I don’t wish anything bad on you.”

Brandt then asked and was granted permission by the court to give Guyger a hug. The emotional moment was captured on video and in photographs, and it paints a powerful picture of God’s abundant mercy through the actions of a teenager. And we hope and pray it moved a tremendous number of hearts in the process.

Bishop Edward J. Burns, who heads the Diocese of Dallas, said as much, calling the act “an incredible example of Christian love.”

“I pray we can all follow the example of this outstanding young man. Let us pray for peace in our community and around the world,” Bishop Burns said in the statement.

It’s not often when we see selfless acts of love after a senseless, tragic act have such a powerful impact. But as Catholic Christians, we know God works in mysterious ways.

A teenager’s words and actions offer us a much-needed reminder that everyone can be forgiven—even those who have committed grievous crimes.

We also believe the Holy Spirit was very much at work here as well, during this month of October, Respect Life Month, reminding us that human life is sacred—from conception until natural death.

The unborn, the hungry, the homeless. Yes, even the prisoner. We are all God’s children.

—Mike Krokos