Goodness or hatred? Our call to respond

I cannot fathom what could poison a person’s soul and heart to the point where they would deliberately enter a cemetery and vandalize, or attempt to steal, a grave marker from the deceased.

My heart is filled with compassion for the poor and marginalized, and I firmly believe in doing all we can, out of social justice and compassion, to see Jesus in those in need. Yet I wonder-are people committing these acts out of desperate need to survive, or is it simple greed, knowing they can profit from the bronze that stands as a memorial to someone’s dearly departed loved one?

In this case, it was my late wife Susan’s grave that was damaged-someone tried to pry up her marker with a crowbar. I am grateful to my step-sister Sandra and her husband Dave, who discovered the damage while visiting Susan’s grave and notified me. I had just been there recently and everything was fine, but within days, someone tried to steal the marker.

When I contacted the cemetery, they confirmed that a miscreant had indeed attempted to steal it, but either struggled to remove it from the marble base or was interrupted mid-crime.

The cemetery explained that, as the grave marker is technically my property, I am responsible for repairs. I responded that much like owning property in a gated community where you expect certain services, including security, I would expect more from the cemetery with respect to security. I asked what measures are in place to prevent this from happening again. The staff member was kind and understanding and shared that this is an increasing problem across their cemeteries.

They are planning to install solar cameras throughout the memorial park and are coordinating with police for increased patrols. She also advised me to file a police report, which I am now in the process of doing.

What is the right response to such an act of malevolence? Scripture is clear: “You shall not steal or covet another’s property.” It also teaches that those who commit such acts lack wisdom: “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” (Proverbs 11:12)

So I will file the police report-and I will pray. Jesus instructs us: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). This teaching is central to the Christian life and certainly paramount to the lesson Jesus lived while walking among us over 2,000 years ago.

Over the years, I have learned that bitterness only harms us. Forgiveness, on the other hand, releases anger from our hearts. Don’t get me wrong-I am deeply upset that this happened, but I refuse to let bitterness define my walk as a Christian. I will pray for those responsible-not that they prosper in wrongdoing, but that their hearts and minds are transformed, so that no one else must endure the pain of seeing a loved one’s memorial desecrated for the sake of greed.

And as important, that these individuals turn from a life of crime toward a life of service to others.

The real question is this:

How can we overcome evil by doing good, instead of responding with hatred or a desire for revenge?

Will choosing hatred and vengeance ever bring healing to our hearts, or will it only fill us with bitterness, resentment and anger?

Which response-goodness or hatred-will truly make a lasting difference in our lives, both now and for eternity?