[Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin] Bishop David Rice began the Eucharistic celebration at Holy Trinity, Madera, on June 12 with a request for prayers for all concerned with the shooting at the Pulse night club in Orlando. Later, in his homily, he referred to the Gospel of the day and connected the two.

The woman who wept at Jesus’ feet and washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair caused a stir. To the host, she was dismissed as invisible by being labeled as a sinner.

Rice called upon the congregation and diocese to pay attention to the invisible in our midst, whatever label they have been given – homeless, prisoner, gay, or any other label. We are all God’s creation and should not be invisible to one another.

This shooting with 50 dead and 53 injured comes a week after the Episcopal Church joined with several organizations in the #WearOrange campaign to raise awareness of gun violence and its effect on American lives. Gun violence does not just destroy those killed, it also impacts the wounded (who need to recover physically and emotionally), families of those killed or wounded, and local communities.

In a statement made later in the day, Rice said, “We remember those who have died under such horrific circumstances, we pray for those injured, we pray for the families and friends who have suffered overwhelming loss, we pray for one another as this impacts us all, we pray for peace, we pray, we continue to pray”.

In a later posting on Facebook, Rice noted, “I endeavor to keep my Facebook Pages separate (personal and ecclesiastical) however after the events from this morning in Florida, I feel compelled to write these words. We desperately need to make changes. We need to foster a different way of being and a different way of seeing one another. We need to pray ourselves and to work ourselves into a far better reality where mutual respect and a reciprocated acknowledgment of our differences can be celebrated. We need to know that we can put a stop to the “isms” and “phobias” which are far too apparent in our everyday lives. We must replace all the hurts and harms with intentional and considered and abundant love. Quite frankly, that’s one of the reasons I’ve remained in the church all these years, I continue to believe that love is the only answer, the only solution, the only thing that truly matters. So please, bring love, please bring love wherever you go and with whomever you encounter, bring love!”

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offered this video message to the church.