September 08, 2005

            In the wake of Katrina and the destruction that has taken place across the gulf coast, we have witnessed some of the best and worst in human behavior.  We have heard many stories of people who went out of their way to assist others, provide housing and rides, and to lend a helping hand in the evacuation.  We have also heard of people who have fired guns at the people bringing food and water.  There have been too many accounts of people being beaten and raped in the very places they went for safety.  We have taken comfort in the large number of people who are now working to help people who have no homes or communities that are inhabitable.  We have shared in the work of helping people who now have no homes or communities that are inhabitable find new life. 

            Our response as a faith community to these needs is one of the ways we say that God is present and that God cares about our lives.  There have been those few people in the news who have said that Katrina was an “act of God” meant to destroy sinful people.  I pray for those people and hope that they will enlarge their narrow view of God and life.  The Good News found throughout scripture is that God loves and cares for all people.  The establishment of covenants, the work to preserve a witness in all generations to God’s work, and the supreme gift of Jesus all points to a God who created us out of love and works to help us find abundant life.

            I don’t believe that Katrina, or any other storm, is an act of God to destroy human life.  I do believe that God cares so deeply about our lives that with every hurt, each wounded heart, and questioning mind, God seeks to help us find life in the name and power of Jesus.  The life we have through Jesus is one in which we realize God’s presence and power in the midst of devastation.  The abundant love that fills our hearts is a love that whispers in our souls a reminder that we are children of God.

            I appreciate our St. Andrew’s church family for the generous outpouring of help.  Your generosity and giving nature is touching many lives with the love of God.  May we keep these needs in our hearts and prayers as we continue to share the love of God in the world and the love of Christ in our hearts.

Grace and Peace,

Richard

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