In Matthew's Wake

Hurricane Matthew has taken away all that some have spent their lives building, killing and destroying as it makes its way north.

Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away. - Luke 8:18

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus paints a picture of gloom and doom for those who have little, and in the aftermath of a hurricane like Matthew, we can see exactly what it means to lose everything.

He may be saying that those who have little feel the pain of loss more than those who have the resources to rebuild.  And in good times, those who have much can benefit more as well.

But as the reading continues, we see that Jesus is in a strange, if not foul, mood.  He dismisses the news that his mother and brothers have come to hear him, saying those who hear the Word and act on it are his mother and brothers.

And then later, as he and the disciples are on the sea in a raging storm, he calms the wind and stills the sea, telling them they have no faith.

So, where are we in this picture?  What is it we should take away from this reading?

As he says, pay attention to how we listen.

When we hear of the losses and the enormous needs of the survivors of a storm like Matthew, what do we do?  Do we hear the word and act upon it?  And if we do, how?

No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light.

Our lamps are lit, and the light they send forth into the world can be seen by those in need.  What we do when our brothers and sisters are in jeopardy will be seen by all.

We may not be able to calm the storm.  Nor will we be able to repair all the damage it has done, but we can do something.  We must do something to help those in need, whether they are the family members we know and love, or those who we have never met, brothers and sisters in Christ.

So let us pray that the storm retreats and we can begin the process of rebuilding lives.  What better way to let our lights shine?

More to come...