The Earthquakes of 2010 (so far)

First Haiti, then Chile, and now China? We need to keep these people in our prayers! The lyrics in a song from a hymn at mass today said something like "if we cannot love our Savior than we will not be able to love our brother." Perhaps that's cliche and generic, but the point is this: you are born into a family, like it or not. Beyond that you are also part of a human family - the family of believers within the Church, the Body of Christ, and also the family of all your brothers and sisters, whoever they are and whatever their beliefs.

I was recently struck with sorrow at my own impatience in life when I watched a girl go up for communion at mass. She had very little use of her legs and so had the special crutches that are much like arm braces to allow her to walk. When I thought not only about the strength it must take in those arms just to move her body around but more importantly the strength to face each day, and every person she meets, with self-confidence I was floored. How hard! How very hard to face a world that says physical beauty (and at the very least, physical ability) is a must. How courageous, how absolutely beautiful, that she would live in confidence of Christ's love for her, even if this world will often judge and reject her.

Perhaps most profound was the thought that followed - why wasn't that me? What on earth kept me physically sound and whole and this sister of mine broken? Why was I able to complain about being exhausted from a run and she would never know the joy of running as hard as you can. The same emotion struck me when watching Avatar, because it is so clear the things we completely take for granted, like walking each day. So many suffer from various disabilities or diseases throughout their lives. They are our brothers and sisters, even when they look weird or we feel uncomfortable around them. Discomfort is never a good excuse for not loving someoen. I've heard it said before how obviously being nailed to a cross wasn't comfortable for Jesus. Point taken.

We must therefore do all we can for our suffering family members. These are our siblings, who are hungry and bruised and broken. They need our prayers, our letters of support, our financial assistance - whatever we have to offer.

Let us pray:
Lord God, Father of all people, we place before you our suffering family. Be near to those who have lost loved ones through disaster and disease. Draw into your heavenly abode all the souls of those who have passed from these devastating disasters. In your mercy and love, send your Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, enlighten and protect the hearts and souls of those who are stuggling to survive. Move in the hearts of your more fortunate children to realize that all they have been given is a gift from you to be shared with their sisters and brothers in need.
Blessed Mother, you know every sorrow and every hurt carried in the hearts of the poor and the hearts of those who mourn, for you yourself were poor, and you too have mourned your only Son. Hold our brothers and sisters tightly to your heart and never let them be parted from your tender compassion or the Heart of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Joseph and all the saints.
Amen.