Don't ask the crocus, "Where is God?" / as though the crocus can respond to / our cries echoing over the flower beds. / The purple blooms have done their best / to disguise the traces of our bitter violence; / their job is not to soothe our seething conscience.

Aurora has reminded us that lament is sorely lacking in our land. Our faith communities are faced with a prime opportunity to recover the practice of lament and point us toward a society that is more compassionate and humane.

While the primary blame for abuse and misdeed against women lies with the perpetrators themselves, we should look next at the good men who say nothing. It's time for good men to hold accountable those who abuse women.