A friend reminded me of why I often share news items about death, tragedy, how lives of society's or history's "marginalized" people matter (calling out the names of people groups), of oppression and persecution of people who believe like me and people who do not, of people near and people far.

There is a reason and a suffering, tormented clergyman nailed it one day with these words that have pierced my soul time and time again.

God grant that the piercing never ceases.

"No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; 
It tolls for thee. "