RBWords - Volume 18 - Number 8: August 2005
Something to Think About
As I write this, CNN is on in the background with its coverage of the horrible impact of Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, both areas that I have spent much time in, are devastated. The human loss in terms of life and trauma is incalculable, no matter how calculable the financial loss may be. It is a national disaster, but for those of us from Louisiana, it is an emotional disaster as well. New Orleans is the major city of Louisiana and one of the unique cities of our country. I have spent 14 years of my life in that city. It has been a surreal experience to watch the destruction.
Here at St. Catharine’s in Kentucky, nine Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, a congregation of Dominican women from New Orleans have arrived for an indefinite stay and eleven more are expected. They may have lost their homes and possessions. I have friends and family who live in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast who have sustained terrible losses. At least they are alive and safe. Students that I know at Tulane are faced with uncertainty about their education. Given the loss of life and home that some are facing, these are smaller concerns, but it shows that this is not a local thing. We are all impacted, whether in person or at the gas pump!
In the face of such a monumental natural disaster, what can we say? We have built the city and created the unique geographical situation of New Orleans, which is a major force in shaping the unique culture of New Orleans. It has been 40 years since a hurricane hit New Orleans. (And the season is not yet over!). The weather is impersonal and has no regard at all for our doings. We are left with our faith and our response in love to all those in need as a result of the storm. Some responses, reflected in looting and price gouging, show the shadow side of human behavior. But the stories of faith, heroism and courage in the face of traumatic loss will remain to inspire. Perhaps there will be lasting lessons in the problems of communications and geography that the catastrophe has highlighted which will enable us to prevent the extent of damage, even if we cannot prevent hurricanes. In the meantime, along with the sisters here at St. Catharine’s, I pray to God that the rescue and rehabilitation efforts will be crowned with success and that lives will be mended. I invite you to join me. IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
It Has Been Said
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; and behold a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job 2: 18-19
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