1. Over the past few weeks any number of natural disasters have struck our country and several other nations around the world. The question arises as to what we as believers are to make of all this. Let me say right off the bat that the loving God that I believe in does not send tribulation to millions of innocent people because of being upset with the actions of some people. That is preposterous. What I do believe is that these events tell us that we are not in charge. We are not the masters of the universe in spite of the many advances made by science and technology. They also lead us to reflect on what is really important. How many people have I seen recently and in past tragedies say something like "We lost our home and all of our belongings, but we have each other." Folks who did lose loved ones make statements of faith that God will strengthen them and help them to get through everything." I could go on but you get the idea.
I would add this as well. We need to take a serious look at the issue of climate change and avoid either politically motivated denial of the subject or the simplistic offering of it for everything that has gone one. Can we ask, "What is the scientific data telling us?" "Is there human contribution or is it merely cyclic?" And most importantly, "What, if anything, can we do?" Try to make the answer scientific and moral, but not political. I personally think that both sides of the political spectrum skew the issue.
2. Speaking of disasters the issue of North Korea is alarming. That nation is led by a mad man whose people are starving. There is no doubt that he must be dealt with, and strongly. That having been said I refer you to the following words from Gaudiom et Spes, Vatican II's Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. Section 20 of that wonderful document states:
"Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the destruction of entire cities or of extensive areas
along with their population is a crime against God and man himself. It merits unequivocal and
unhesitating condemnation."
I will add no comment to those words, but especially for those of you who are Catholic that is the official teaching of our Church.
3. On DACA. I can only hope that Congress can pass a bi-partisan bill protecting those who came here as children. Whatever you may think of immigration reform on a wider scale to me it is unconscionable to think of sending these people, many of whom are successful young adults making contributions to our country, back to countries they never really knew. The only country they have ever known is our country. Furthermore I state this as a moral issue for us Christians and not just as a political one.
Well, there you have it, may thoughts on recent goings-on.
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