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RSSNovember 28, Advent I, Year A
11/28/2004
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 24:37-44
Psalm 122
"...and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away..." -- Matthew 24:39
In ancient times, there was little warning of a flood -- just the folk wisdom that marked the seasons, scanned the skies, using what knowledge of the natural world they possessed to try to stay ahead of its destructive power.
We are much better informed now, of course -- satellites track storms and we can communicate with ease, sending out evacuation warnings everyone can hear on the radio, see on the television. We usually know when a natural disaster is coming. But sometimes, we don't.
The people of Panama were struck suddenly by terrible flooding and mudslides after heavy rains fell in the country. But the enormous power of nature is bigger than human beings: the wall of water rushing down the tiny streets of the little towns -- Pedregal, Felpillo, San Munguelito, Tocumen -- far outweighed the people fleeing before it, easily crushed the houses it encountered, carrying the chunks of their remains and some of their occupants along in its savage current. People died. People lost everything they owned.
After the storm, Episcopal Relief and Development was on the phone to Bishop Julio Thompson, assuring him that help was on the way: food, emergency medicine, shelter materials, the things ERD knows so well how to provide.
In some ways, all disasters are alike: everyone needs food, everyone needs shelter, everyone needs medical supplies. These are things we can know in advance. In other ways, each one is different: it comes into a different culture, a different climate, comes to different people, to each victim in a unique way. These are things we must learn in each new situation.
In the season of Advent, the word is "Watch." Look ahead. Be prepared. We are prepared to help those into whose life disaster comes, through our participation in ERD's work. To help quickly, based on what we know. And to learn quickly, watching for the signs of what is needed.
Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of disaster. When the immediate crisis is over, we rebuild devastated communities and offer long-term solutions in the areas of food security, health care, and HIV/AIDS.
