Coby Bryant and eight others died a week ago. Among the deceased is Coby’s 13-year old daughter. This is an absolute tragedy. It should not have happened. We should not be having to grieve the loss of people so young. I don’t follow basketball but there are thousands, if not millions, of fans who looked up to Coby and are really feeling that loss. I grieve for all those who feel a loss for these untimely deaths.
I am concerned that Coby’s death overshadowed what I consider even greater tragedies. Tuesday was the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and Wednesday was the anniversary of the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. I did hear these stories carried on the news but they were not covered to the same extent that the Coby Bryant tragedy was covered. In our culture have we reached the point where celebrities have become more important than anyone or anything else?
Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi camps. It is estimated that 1.1 million people were killed in that camp. Certainly, this story needs more attention. It must be a warning to all of us. Hate potentially leads to abuse, violence, and often death. I wish that I had heard more about this, even if the coverage of Coby would have to be shortened. The Challenger was the first shuttle that had civilians on board. We had become naïve to the risks of space travel and that tragedy was a wake-up call than no such adventure is without risk. This is an important lesson.
Yes, we need to mourn Coby and the other victims of the helicopter crash. Yet, compared to other historic tragedies, I believe that it pales. I hope that we will stop elevating celebrities and their activities above more important matters. History teaches us deep lessons that we need to remember lest we make the same mistakes, and allow the same evil that we have allowed in the past.
Coby’s death is sad. Auschwitz and the Challenger are tragedies that we must learn from.
#ReformedChurchInAmerica #ClintonAvenueReformedChurch
#PastorMarkAuthordotcom #BergenfieldNJ
#BergenCountyNJ #CobyBryant
#Auschwitz #SpaceShuttleChallenger
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please order a copy of his book: https://deepriverbooks.com/books/the-circle-of-seven/
Pastor Mark Author 