Pastoral Letter
Dear Friends,
I am sure that like me you have been shocked and saddened by the destruction and death that Hurricane Katrina has brought to the Southern states of America. The particularly sad aspect of the impact of the Hurricane and associated floods has been that, by and large, the victims have been the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community, and that doesn't seem right.
How do we react to this situation? Well, first of all I suggest that we look to Jesus' teaching. In Matthew Chapter 25 Jesus talks about the judgement day, when people will be separated as a shepherd separates the sheep and the goats, with the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on the right:
"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Then the righteous will answer: "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" Then the king will reply: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Jesus' message is that caring for the most vulnerable and needy in society must be our priority. It is essential for the word "society" to have any real meaning at all, because each and every individual is of equal value in God's eyes - we are all precious to him.
At this time of the year our parishes are busy giving thanks for the harvest, and I think we must, in the midst of our celebrations, remember that we, who have so much to be grateful for, must take time to focus our attention on those who have so little, whether it be in New Orleans, Niger or any other part of the world in need, or, indeed, just around the corner .
There is a vital reason for doing so, as this little story helps us to appreciate. A Christian man lost his home and mill when a flood washed them away. He was broken-hearted and discouraged as he stood surveying the devastation and loss. Just then he saw a glittering object that had been uncovered by the waters. It was a chunk of pure gold! The disaster he thought had made him a beggar had actually made him rich.
There have been numerous reports from America of Christian Churches right across that country setting to and providing accommodation, food, clothing, money, help with jobs, and a great deal more, to the victims of the disaster. As a result those who have been helped have discovered a rich vein of human love in their time of greatest need. That is the true object of pure gold in the midst of all the devastation.
Surely this is what being Christian should really be about:
"loving the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength, and our neighbours as ourselves".
Then those who we have loved and helped can begin to say, as Robert Lowry so movingly puts it:
What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth;
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
May God bless you all,