RBWords - Volume 21 - Number 8: August 2008
Something to Think About
As I write this, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas await the impact of Hurricane Gustav. Three years ago Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the gulf coast and caused terrible damage and suffering. Now some of the same territory and people are facing a repetition of the sorrow. Among them are many of my family and friends. My heart goes out to them. On Labor Day they may see the “work” of recovery destroyed by another major natural force. It is much like the Greek mythological figure, Sysyphus, who was condemned to eternally roll a large stone up a steep hill only to have the stone slip just short of the top and roll down to the bottom. For some of my friends, all they have is in their home and they don\'t know what will be there when they are permitted to return. It is frustrating, frightening, sorrowing and stressful beyond belief.
It is also frustrating to be safely up here in Kentucky and unable to be with those family and friends to be of personal and pastoral comfort. At least I know most of them are in relatively safe locales. My Dominican brothers in New Orleans have all evacuated to other Dominican priories in Texas and elsewhere. Prayer (and a few phone calls) has been my primary response to the approaching trial! I\'ve been watching the Weather Channel a great deal and also occasionally looking at a storm tracking website (http://web.tampabay.rr.com/wolfy) which gives a great deal more data than I know how to handle, but I get some comfort out of knowing where the storm is.
I wish there was something less traumatic to think about at this time, but the needs of all those who will be severely hurt whether physically or emotionally or spiritually must crowd my thoughts and prayers now. IT\'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
It Has Been Said
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave.
Who bidst the mighty oceans deep
Their own appointed limits keep.
Oh, hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.”