The Lessons of a Disaster

A new word has come to stay: tsunami. More than one hundred fifty thousand lives were taken by one of the most impressive natural disasters we have ever seen. What lessons could we pick up from that horrendous flood and its tragic aftermath?

1. A paradise became a hell. We never would wish such a painful experience to any person or family, of course. But once it has happened, we can pick up a lesson of detachment from earthly goods and promises. Even the best places and times should not have the power to make us forget our final destination and unchangeable calling.

2. The World has shown marvellous generosity. It is wonderful to hear Dublin’s Archbishop thanking us for the outstanding solidarity this country has shown in this case. More than $ 3 million were collected in the special appeal of the weekend before the last one. Sometimes we think all bounteousness is gone, but we gladly verify that there is still much of human in our human race. This also entails a special challenge for we Christians. Once the Lord said to his disciples: “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5,20). We do not pretend we are better than anyone, but it is clear that a bounteous world stands as a challenge for Christian love and charity. Are we loving beyond the limits a philanthropist would do?

3. The Asian flood is not the unique “tsunami” around. Hunger, violence and social injustice continue their obscure work claiming new innocent lives on a daily basis. Abortion, tropical diseases and malnutrition threaten the weakest and least of all, namely, unborn and young babies and children. We can see all these dangers and threats as silent tsunamis. They will not occupy the front pages or prime time on TV sets, yet they are killing not a less amount than the Asian did.

4. We must see also the other tsunamis. When a whole generation abandons Christian faith we can speak of a spiritual tsunami. What has been so powerful in countries of strong Catholic tradition, to uproot so many from sacraments, church and prayer? We do not see immediately the consequences of the present decisions but when you see that many houses are no longer homes and a strong feeling of loneliness is spreading all over the place, you know what could come up after. This is not something that once happened far away but something that is happening right now, just across the street or next door.

5. Funds for Asian Relief were promptly set up everywhere. To overcome spiritual disasters we also will need big and efficient funds. Their names are well known among us and will mark the coming Lenten Season: fasting, prayer, works of mercy. The more we add to these funds the more we can relieve the world of its unbearable burdens.

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(Predicación preparada y realizada para la Legión de María el día de ayer.)