7.0 on the richter scale. The small island of Haiti. Two thoughts you would never want to place in the same sentence, much less in reality. But it is reality.
Several days after the fact, the world saw the devastated faces of lost and suffering Haitians. Now, people all around, both Christians and Non-Christians, are pulling together a relief effort to help save the lives of those in need.
I don’t think I need to give you details about the physical or emotional suffering of the people in Haiti. I am sure you don’t want a description of the environment. You can find this on any news station in the US.
Instead, I want to reach out to YOU…and ask you to look inside your own heart to find the compassion and depth needed for prayer. Look around you…do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food to eat? What blessings has God bestowed upon you? Are your loved ones nearby and safe?
My request is two-fold…take a sincere and focused look into your heart and how God has blessed you…even the little things. Then, think about how our brothers and sisters in Haiti are coping. Many have lost their loved ones…they don’t have water or food…relief efforts are not very timely due to the horrific damage caused by this natural disaster…most all housing has been lost in the devastation as well.
Pray a deep and thoughtful prayer for them. Prayer is an unbelievably reliable and incredible power…the best thing we can offer to someone in need. Continue to pray for them, until order is restored and life can go on in Haiti.
For those of you in the local Marriottsville/Baltimore area, the Sisters of Bon Secours will be holding a prayer service in our Chapel at 1525 Marriottsville Rd. on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Please plan to join us if you are able.
For all others, at 1:00 on Wednesday, feel free to join in on the prayer from your desk at work, your couch at home, or a local park. Wherever you are, join us!
If you want to provide “Good Help To Those In Need” by offering monetary support for supplies, I recommend Catholic Relief Services at https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?1080.donation=form1&df_id=1080. At the bottom of the online form, you can type in Haiti Relief for the special reason.
May God Bless you all!!!
Thank you for this personal reflection. I will be with you in prayer for our brothers and sisters of Haiti on Wednesday. God bless.