Last night they captured the second suspect named in the Boston Marathon bombings.

I was in a waiting room at a public facility, along with several other people, when the news flashed across the display.  Images of a flapping torn boat cover, flashing lights, talk of a blood trail, video of law enforcement vehicles slowly ebbing from the area, the relief on residents' faces -- all kept us riveted to the screen for the next fifteen or twenty minutes.

As the report played, there was total silence from the people in the room.  Eventually one person ventured, "Looks like they caught him."

There were nods and quiet murmurs of agreement.  No cheers, no shouts, no barbaric threats or promises.

Finally, someone said quietly, "I kind of feel sorry for the kid."

And suddenly, the murmurs of agreement became louder.  Someone had voiced what everyone else was apparently feeling: compassion for the perpetrator.  And, sadly, it seemed that everyone felt guilty for feeling that compassion.  Clearly, this does not excuse his actions, if in fact he was responsible.   But I personally felt more relief at seeing that flare of compassion then I did over the fact that he was caught.

I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  The Jesus Christ that I know would walk up to a frightened young man -- a young man cowering injured in a boat, knowing that the entire country was hunting him -- and would talk softly to the boy.  The Jesus Christ that I know would extend His hand, and say, "Come wth Me."  There would be no "righteous anger", no "vengeance", no violence.  He might turn to those nearby and say, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone."  He might say, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for those who abuse you," and nod toward the young man shivering in fear before Him.

To those who will inevitably be calling for the torture and abuse of the young man, Jesus might hold up a tattered sign, written by an eight year old boy, that says, "Stop hurting people."  And he might point out that there are no conditions, no expections.  There is no asterisk or footnote after those words, just a crudely drawn sign symbolising Peace.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be tried in the US Judicial system, according to the laws of our country.  Hopefully, and presumably, it will be done in a proper and civilized manner, as befitting our nation.  And hopefully, we will all feel a little compassion-- not only for the victims, but also for the perpetrators.  Because that is how peace and healing begin.