PENTECOST XVII
October 2, 2022
“Even When All is Lost . . . Love Finds Us”
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, . . . as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 35a, 40b)
The endless cycle of news on television, as well as all other media has been nonstop in the coverage of the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Ian. As we look at pictures and hear horrific stories, it’s not unusual to feel distanced from all the ruined, unrecognizable neighborhoods and public areas. These scenes seem to merge together, just piles of rubble everywhere with nothing identifiable about them. We find that it’s an effort to acknowledge that our fellow citizens have suffered great losses, and to empathize with their shock and grief. Have you heard the expression of “disaster fatigue”? It popped up awhile back, adapting the World War II term “battle fatigue” as a quick way to describe the emotional overload we can experience as scenes of loss and tragedy, one after another, appear at every turn. We certainly aren’t heartless, but we have become weary and perhaps discouraged at such worldwide pain and suffering.
Whether as individuals or whole communities, many of us are at the point of dreading to wake up in the morning, wondering what terrible events will be covered on the day’s newscast. I’ve already heard some people tell one another, “Look for the helpers,” quoting Fred Rogers, known to millions from “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” And you don’t have to look very far or for very long, as emergency personnel and volunteers are rescuing people in desperate situations, and crews of workers are poised to restore power and safe water.
A hero of mine, Chef Andre and his crew from the World Food Kitchen, are serving up hot meals to the many who are suddenly hungry and homeless. This organization is ready to leave for an afflicted area on short notice, and had set up and started cooking remarkably soon after the storm moved on. Our local hero, Willie Ray Fairley, is leaving next week to bring Bar-B-Q love to the affected area, truly a ministry he and his helpers have built and expanded in the past few years.
As helpers move in to aid with food, shelter and rescues, every one of them is following the will and the example of our Lord. The Gospels of Mark and Matthew provide accounts of Jesus’ concern for the huge crowd that had followed him to listen to his teachings and ask him to cure the sick among them. Although it appeared many would go hungry, he blessed and broke the loaves available, had them distributed, and all ate their fill.
Meeting basic human need is the foundation of the gospel of love and care. We aren’t able to come striding in and put all to rights by sheer force, but as people come together, care and support those directly affected, they will be strengthened, more help will come, and slowly but surely, there will be healing and rebuilding. To lose your home, your neighborhood and even the whole town you live in is as disorienting and unbelievable as it can be. To know you have help, support, and even hope can make all the difference.
Praying for the hurting people from Florida to Ukraine to Somalia,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers