I knew a little of Charlie Kirk the political figure, but I did not know anything of Charlie Kirk the man. As far as politics go, I viewed Kirk as a partisan figure spouting little more than Republican/Trumpian talking points, and I think that was largely correct. However, in the wake of his assassination I can’t stop thinking about the loss of a father and husband, and what his family is going through now. I knew of Charlie Kirk the political figure, but politics is the least of any person. Charlie Kirk was not a political figure; he was a person, a friend to many, a son, a husband, a father, and more besides.
It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor.
The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken.
It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship…
All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.
It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.
There are no ordinary people.
You have never talked to a mere mortal.
- C. S. Lewis
There will be ramifications for the United States because someone chose to assassinate Charlie Kirk, and I doubt that any of them will be positive. Most of us will argue that this simply proves that our already entrenched beliefs were correct all along, and plenty will want retribution against the guilty and the perceived-to-be-guilty. I don’t pretend to know what response Charlie Kirk would support were he alive to comment on this situation, but I know that he professed himself to be a Christian and a follower of Jesus Christ. So perhaps it would be most fitting to remember Charlie Kirk alongside a message of forgiveness from Jesus.
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21-22
I am afraid of what comes next for our country, but for now I simply mourn the loss of another life to political violence.
Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.