In the aftermath of the devastation in Haiti, people and governments from around the world are offering aid in various forms. The hope is that the outpouring of relief efforts and supplies might prevent an even larger tragedy from occuring.
While the generosity of so many people is heartening to see, a few folks are offering things less helpful than food, blankets, and medical supplies. Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson, for example, have offered opinions about the crisis that have spawned reactions around the world. Limbaugh's comments seek to score political points through this tragedy while Robertson has proffered that the earthquake is further evidence that Haiti has been cursed due to making a pact with the devil 200 years ago when it gained independence from France.
As both an American and a Christian, comments like these both embarrass and anger me. I find myself shaking my head in disbelief that such thinking gets generated in the context of human tragedy. Of course, such thinking isn't new. We know it was around in the time of Jesus thanks to a story recorded in the gospel of John: "As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. (9:1-4).
Jesus clearly rejects the notion that this man's suffering was the result of a sin either he or his parents committed. Instead of affixing blame, Jesus instead directs our energy and attention to the opportunity we have to take part in the work of God.
This Sunday we will reflect on what kind of work we can embrace in the midst of tragedy. What does God ask us to do on His behalf in response to human need and suffering?
As people of faith, it is important for us to do more than be grieved by the comments of people like Pat Robertson. We are also called to speak and act in ways that reflect the nature and character of Christ.
To prepare for worship, I ask you to ponder both the passage above as well these words from 2 Corinthians: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (1:3-5).
In what ways might our comfort flow into this situation in Haiti and other situations where people are hurting and grieving? What does doing the work of God look like in such situations? How do comments like the ones made by Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson work against the mandate we've been given by Christ.
Please continue to be in prayer for the survivors in Haiti, for rescue workers, and for those who are responding to the crisis. Please also note that we are collecting donations to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund in worship as well.
