Monday, September 11, 2017 – The Day After Hurricane Irma

Psalm 66 from the Morning Prayer for the day proclaims:

O peoples, bless our God;

let our voice of praise resound,

to the God who gave life to our souls

and kept our feet from stumbling.

For you, O God, have tested us,

you have tried us as silver is tried….

but then you brought us to a place of plenty.

Had I cherished evil in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

But truly God has listened,

and has heeded the voice of my prayer.

Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer,

nor withhold from me faithful love.

What fitting words from a faith-filled poet written thousands of years ago. The words are overflowing with meaning for those who faced the uncertainties generated by a catastrophic storm.

There will no doubt be meteorological explanations as to why the storm changed course, lessened in intensity, or was not nearly as damaging as predicted. But for faith-filled people, we believe that God heard our prayers, calmed our anxious spirits, strengthened our confidence, and protected us from harm. Grateful hearts we now offer to a generous and loving God!

On this day darkened by the memory of so many lives lost to the cunning power of evil, we proclaim the power of a loving God, the power of good triumphing over evil. It is our faith which enables us to survive the challenges of what life sometimes has to offer. Just as the country came together after 9/11, and just as St. Isabel pulled together after Hurricane Charley, we will once again pull together, bound together by our profound love of God, and our steadfast love for one another. With the same resolve and confidence in God, we will work towards overcoming the injustice leveled against Fr. Christopher, overcoming the powers that seem intent on destroying the strong community that once existed at St. Isabel Church. Blessed be the God who will not reject our prayers, nor ever withhold from us His life-giving and energizing love!