When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Acts 27:19-21 (NIV)
Today, the media contains countless stories of the one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. One year ago today, houses splintered, and lives shattered as well as property. Without the constant reminders of the devastation, these victims can seem invisible. Their homes are uninhabitable, unhealthy, and sometimes reduced to piles of rubble. Sobbing people speak of losing everything they had, as their possessions washed away or were befouled by the rising waters.
Sandy wandered across the Eastern Seaboard, skipping around, sparing and destroying randomly. The righteousness or worthiness of the dwellers did not matter at all to the whirling winds and relentless rain. We could not control what the storm did, but how we reacted to the carnage. Reports of looting became eclipsed by the offers of help and shelter, from both secular and religious institutions. How we conduct ourselves during a crisis cannot influence whether one will occur, but can mitigate the misery it can cause.
Storms happen, and so do greed, larceny, and ruthlessness. Also, caring, compassion, and empathy occur. Fervently, I hope there will never be another disaster, but I am proud to belong to a community of those who chose to offer help. The victims may have lost material belongings, but they did not lose everything they had.
O Lord, You are a shelter from the storm. Your view is a higher view. You ride on the wings of the wind, and Your love for us is deeper than the ocean’s depths.
Be with all Your children through this long night of raging through days of unknowing through changes unbidden through it all.
Heal our land. Amen
prayer by B.D.Harr for victims of Hurricane Sandy)
Contributed by Carol
Monday November 4, 2013
Liturgical Year C: Week 49
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading: Proper 26
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost