I was struck with the uptick in violence in the last few days, especially coinciding with a Holy Week that billions around the world (and millions here in Los Angeles) enter into, remembering the death of another innocent victim.

Suicide bombers and Christians in Egypt. Suicide shooter and school children in San Bernardino, CA. One day and thousands of miles apart. At first glance, these events don't seem to have a connection; neither do they seem to bother us, but instead they roll off our backs, like just another day. What kind of despair, fear and isolation is present in our culture today, to provoke such acts? We are a product of this culture; we are determined in large part by the subtle messages it sends to us: we are what we do, our success determines our future, every man for himself.

Lurking underneath this self-reliant way of thinking is great anxiety and fear that we are ultimately alone and therefore we cling to any scrap that reminds us of our true humanity. It is striking that these constant shootings in schools and public places are themselves the last attempt for these people to be known, to be seen; and sadly they have chosen to take others with them in their destructive selfishness. Wouldn't have been easier to die alone? But who wants this? It is a cry to be known. In Egypt, a powerful ideology has stepped in to manipulate the individual's freedom. The "other" is seen as a threat, so the solution has become to obliterate the threat in attempt to assert one's ideas. But no one is a threat to the man who is loved. So how do we overcome the selfishness and fear which reign in this age, and instead cultivate a real love of self and neighbor? We need someone to surprise us with a new way of acting, of living and loving that can start to become our own. We depend on others, like a child is dependent on his mother for milk, we never lose this need of original dependence - no matter how old and successful one becomes.

I met a group of people in Los Angeles seven years ago that showed me love in an unexpected way and expected nothing in return. Slowly, I began to love myself and others in this same disarming way. It was the real "me" that had laid buried under all the subtle messages that our modern society sent me. If I can change, is it possible for the world? It is with that desire I will go join these same friends on Good Friday and participate in the Way of the Cross, a simple and ancient walk to remember a Friend who was willing offer his life to show us that this surprising love can happen today.