I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor.    (Psalm 140:12)

I recently returned from a work trip down to the bayou of Alabama in order to make a small contribution to the reconstruction effort that continues from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. In many ways, the work trip was a refreshing change of scenery and a splendid opportunity to serve side by side with thirteen of the finest Christian college students I have been with in a long time. In many ways, I was encouraged by the hopeful witness of these students and our congregational lay leaders, Jim and Debbie Burd. In many ways, I relish the partnership our Mercer Lutheran Mission Cluster has established with the congregations down there along the Gulf Coast. In many ways, it seemed evident that, at least on the surface, some semblance of normalcy has returned to the region.

And yet, in many ways, there are still people down there in the bayou of Alabama who live in homes infested with mold and populated with vermin and cockroaches. Many of these folks are Vietnamese and Cambodians who had been nearly invisible within the larger community until the storm exposed the injustices. Some of these families took whatever immediate aid they received in order to get their fishing businesses restarted first. These are hard-working people. One family our group assisted in repainting their home had been homeless since Hurricane Ivan!

Local officials told us that the reconstruction will need to continue at least for two additional years in that area of Alabama. Lutheran Disaster Response officials told us that most of their operations will be folded up by March 2008. Funds are running out. About one LDR employee a week greets the reality of finding additional employment despite the fact that there is plenty of rebuilding to do.

When you return from a trip such as this, you truly feel like you've left tons of unfinished business. You sense that whatever work you've done or relationships you have established are but a drop in the bucket. Such reflections can lead one to despair. How will these people ever get their life back in order? Why do the ones on the lowest end of the economic ladder get the leftover treatment? Fortunately, the cause of the needy and the execution of justice for the poor is the Lord's cause to sustain. That promise doesn't take me off the hook. That promise doesn't remove whatever load I can share with the brothers and sisters down at the Gulf Coast. It simply keeps me from despair and engenders gratitude for those who do take up the Lord's cause more vigorously and courageously than I.

Lord, continue to form me as your instrument to maintain the cause of the needy and to execute justice for the poor. Amen

Contributed by Pastor Dan
Sunday February 3, 2008
Liturgical Year A Week 10
Sunday Gospel reading:
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany