As I thought about today’s Friday of Faith post and opened my pastoral calendar, I was struck by what a week this has been. January 5th was the second Sunday after Christmas, January 6th was The Epiphany of our Lord, and today, January 10th, is the day that Basil the Great of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa are celebrated in the Lutheran Church. However, I, like many of the world's citizens, am awestruck by the disaster that is happening in the Los Angeles area.
As I looked at the images and destruction and listened to the locals describing what they saw, I was particularly struck by what one of the local streamers mentioned. For every store, business, restaurant, or grocery store that has been or will be destroyed, there are one to hundreds of people who are now jobless and will not be getting a paycheck until further notice. On top of that, they may not have a home, memories, or possessions, or worse, they may have lost a loved one.
All of this while we still have hurricane victims on the East Coast suffering through the winter after they suffered the same tragedy at the hands of the hurricane. We, as American, always come together in times of tragedy and fix ourselves. Now is the time to unite, roll up our sleeves, and get busy. Yes, they are all going to be asking for monetary support. Yes, it is great if you can send them your donations. But God has given us our TIME, our TALLENTS, and OUR POSSESSIONS as gifts. Now, he is going to be looking at us to roll up our sleeves and do the work to use our time, our talents, and our monetary gifts to help and support those in need.
If you cannot do this in one of the disaster regions, then do it where you can support those in need around you, freeing up others who can head to a disaster region. The physical damage from these disasters may take decades to repair, and the emotional and mental toll on survivors will last even longer. This includes not only the victims but also those who have sworn to serve yet are constrained by circumstances. We, the United States of America, must UNITE to support all the states in need because that is what we do; that is what we always have done.
These images are not new to us. They remind me of 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and countless other scenes of mass destruction. In all of those cases, Americans united to rebuild and overcome the root cause of the disasters. Americans have always come to the world’s aid; now it’s time for us to come to our own aid and support each other. Now, since this is a Fridays of Faith post, let's look at two key passages for those who will be under extreme temptation to leave the faith or to think they are abandoned.
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us: 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (RSV)
God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. He challenges us and pushes us to learn, grow, and get stronger so that when we make it out the other side, we can handle and be responsible for all the blessings and goodness he will bestow on us.
For all those who are working 24 hours a day or close to it, putting their own lives and families in the balance, Matthew 11:28-30 came to mind. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (RSV)
The Patron Saint of Firefighters is Saint Florian. He was a Roman Soldier from around AD 250. For the Firefighters, we have a Prayer to St. Florian:
Prayer to St. Florian for Firefighters
Dear God, through the intercession of our patron, Saint Florian, have mercy on the souls of our comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duty, and on all who have gone before us after years of faithful discharge of their responsibilities which now rest on ourselves. Give us grace to prepare each day for our own summons to Thy tribunal of justice. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, wherever Thou callest me, I am ready to go. Merciful Father of all men, save me from all bodily harm, if it be Thy will, but above all, help me to be loyal and true, respectful and honorable, obedient and valiant. Thus fortified by virtue, I shall have no fear, for I shall then belong to Thee and shall never be separated from Thee. Amen.
The Patron Saint of the police officers and now soldiers in the area is St. Michael the Archangel. For the Police Officers, we have the prayer to St. Michael.
The Policeman's Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, heaven's glorious Commissioner of Police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eyes on your earthly force. Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment. Make us the terror of burglars, the friends of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers, and impervious to temptations. In troubles and riots give us sheer muscle without temper; at the police count, give us love for truth and evidence without any thought of self. You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration. Make us as loyal to the law of God as we are particular about the law of the land. And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people.
Amen.
"We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, 'Blessed are they that mourn,' and I accept it. I've got nothing that I hadn't bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination." — C.S. Lewis
Remember the golden rule: treat others the way you would want to be treated because you never know when you will need the grace you extended to them returned back to you.
Now on this Friday of Faith: May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, and May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you PEACE.
In the name of the FATHER the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT.
AMEN.
Strength in Unity: Faith and Action Amidst Disaster