Over the years many practicing Catholics and conservatives have cringed when Alec Baldwin spoke or joked.
He could sound so arrogant.
I cringe thinking of some of my own past comments, thrown out without much forethought. Don’t we all have a few of them?
Baldwin was frequently heard mocking Trump and his supporters, with Saturday Night Live skits of him playing Trump made to look like a buffoon. He also irked a lot of people with his sarcasm towards those who prefer not to get the coronavirus vaccine.
With the details of the heartbreaking tragedy surrounding the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins still coming to light, the full picture is yet unknown. One thing seems certain, though. Baldwin had no intention of shooting, much less taking the life of, the wife and mother of someone he’d known and worked with.
How many of us have had our lives changed radically in an instant? Whether through our own carelessness, mistake, or random misfortune, everything in our life can change permanently in the blink of an eye.
An unexpected shock of a moment alters how we see and think about everything from that point forward, and often changes how we view our past as well. Suddenly casual comments, attempts at humor, wanting to be current or “relevant” or popular all seem horribly superficial and ignorant. No one is ever prepared for the kind of tragedy that knocks you off your feet and relegates so much to the “waste of time” bin.
Alec was raised in a Catholic family. While he’s said little about faith in recent years, it’s often a crisis that calls so many of us to our knees – and to the God who waits for each one of us.
Not long ago at a Long Island event, the pastor of a Congregationalist church raised the issue of dealing with stress during the coronavirus pandemic. Baldwin talked about the “overwhelming level of stress” during the lockdown, with his wife homeschooling and delivering a baby. “God overcomes my fear. I have not always faced every situation with dignity. I know that. I’ve learned a lot. But I rely on God to give me strength.”
We have no idea what’s in Baldwin’s head. It could be that he’s praying for the woman who died (and we certainly should be as well). It could be he’s calling out to God for mercy, guidance, a path ahead.
It’s good for us to remember the words of Jesus in John 8:7, “Let he that is without sin among you cast the first stone.”
For many of us, God works through a crisis to bring us to Him. It’s easy to live as if we have no need for God when things are going smoothly and we seem to be in control. It can take a severe trial to bring us out of our pride to our knees, seeking God. It happened in my own life, and I’ve seen it happen to others through chronic illness, disastrous car accidents, alcoholism, horrendous divorce, financial nightmares. We can pray that this crisis prompts Baldwin to consider the way in which Christ calls us to live and to contemplate the eternal life that is ahead for each of us.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
To be the cause of permanent pain to a family, to end the life of someone needlessly, is an agony we would wish on no one. May there be justice and mercy, and may the nightmare be a catalyst for Baldwin to return to the truth and anchor of the Catholic faith.
15 thoughts on “Pray for Alec Baldwin”
I was aghast at the reaction to Mr. Baldwin’s misfortune. It is beyond jealousy, wanting what another has, beyond envy, wanting another not to have the good they have, it was harm-joy (schadenfreude), delighting in his misfortune. Could you imagine if every allegedly right-thinking person were to really put their heart on, commiserate with Mr. Baldwin, how it would have been an occasion of grace in which he might have developed some compassion for people he formerly vilified and ridiculed? Instead, he must be aware of the firestorm that has erupted around him, and his attitude must have been hardened. On the last day during our judgement before the white throne of Jesus Christ, we will be called to account for the mercy we show to others, it’s right in the Our Father prayer He gave us in response to our request that He teach us how to pray: (we ask God the Father to bless us) As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us.
Trump is a buffoon. He’s also an amoral, racist demagogue. We should pray for him as well.
Quite true.
I think the main reason Ms. Knap thinks Baldwin has “fallen away” is his criticism of Trump. This site has come awfully close to conflating Trump with Jesus. What Trump wants, Jesus wants. What Trump doesn’t want, Jesus doesn’t want. They took down a post praising Biden. (Although to be fair, they’ve also taken down that awful “Trump’s Road to Emmaus Moment” post.)
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Brought Alex Baldwin to our Lord in our Rosary tonight.
Our Lord is kind and merciful to all
Beautifully written spiritual wake up call to all of us.
I’m no fan of his, but I can certainly adhere to the admonition of he who is without sin, cast the first stone. Thank you for this needed reminder.
God bless you.
Adult responsibility with guns.
You want Baldwin “to return to the truth and anchor of the Catholic faith” but you don’t cite any evidence that he’s left it.
By his fruits, I’m pretty sure I can judge. Kind of like colbert, yes. This life goes by in a blink, and to be purged in the afterlife is by God’s mercy, alone.
Any one whom is a puppet of this world, isn’t one I’d want over for dinner, and if you can see the signs of the times, then I sure can convince or argue with whom has spirits that want to devour.
Yes, I pray for Alex , that he finds Peace, and can make a Movie to heal this broken, world. Instead of film’s that feed into how sick society has, is, and was, a distraction from the beauty of life.
I agree. Our Lord has said we should not judge others least we be judged. We must move past trying to call out the sins of others. A wise monk once said that “the path to authentic holiness is to first judge yourself” How well this humble monk emulated the Lord God Himself.
Though reality is made bare as we point out a flaw in our brother/sister. We need to take time to pause and notice that what one has pointed out. Sometimes it is a reminder from our Creator that one is not far from being in the shoes of one who is in crisis.
Each of us is like any other brother/sister of ours with flaws and shortcomings… some have actions that are blatant, others are hidden. Some are better actors. No one can say that one has never been arrogant. Take us out of the dark, Oh Lord.
Patty, This is a timely and important message. We need more empathy and connection with God. Thank you for this.
You close by saying we pray that “Baldwin to return to the truth and anchor of the Catholic faith.” I would like for you consider that Catholicism is not a faith but a belief system. Our faith and the truth rests only in the good Lord and not our institutions.
” I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14.6
VERY GOOD ARTICLE & WELL SAID . I did swallow my pride & started praying for him too .
Maby maby , he will wake up & even maby Pelosi will see the true-light & repent & be example to the world . Be so wonder—ful !!! God wants ALL in heaven, but , ” most” don’t change !!! we pray anyway !! Won’t get wasted !! D’ JMJ+++
What a beautiful and incredible article!
Along with you and hopefully many others, I pray for Alec Baldwin. What happened is horrendous and the aftermath even worse for him. An insightful piece.
Thanks for sharing.