Pastor's Pen

Dear Friends,
   ...though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea....
    Within a matter of weeks, we have witnessed two catastrophic natural disasters, earthquakes in Haiti and Chile that have devastated those two countries and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Some hard lessons have been learned. Even though the Chilean quake was much stronger, the Haiti event was much, much more devastating in lives lost. Why? After centuries of colonial oppression and political ineptitude, Haiti is a much poorer country with a much less developed infrastructure. Whether or not a building collapses when the ground shakes may well be depend on the presence of steel reinforcing rods in the concrete. But steel is expensive. Buildings in Chile have it. Buildings in Haiti don’t. Fair or not, natural disasters seek out the poor.
    Your response to the earthquake in Haiti has been predictably generous. At last count, we have sent over $13,000 to Week of Compassion, the development and disaster relief fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). You have been a part of a global outpouring of support. Telethons and fund raisers for organizations like the Red Cross will make a meaningful and lasting difference in Haiti. I’m just disappointed that my bid of fifteen dollars didn’t buy me dinner with Cal and Ashley Judd.
    Disasters like these two earthquakes raise old questions for some of us. We know why earthquakes happen. Tectonic plates build pressure as they move toward each other, and when they slip, the earth moves. The ancient Greeks thought that the gods were responsible for thunder bolts and tidal waves and earthquakes. Odysseus’ ship was tossed about as he returned from Troy because he had angered Poseidon. The psalmist acknowledged the reality of natural disasters and put them in the context of Israel’s faith:
    God is our refuge and strength,
         a very present help in trouble.
    Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
        though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
    though its waters roar and foam,
        though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46)
    The issue is raised in an interesting way in the Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday, Luke 13:1-9. Someone asked Jesus about some Galileans who had been executed by Pilate, the Roman procurator who would ultimately execute Jesus. Evidently the question was whether or not those who died deserved their fate. Jesus said, Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? ... Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them - do you think that the were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?
     See, there’s the question. When a disaster strikes, why do some die while others survive? In part, it is a matter of economics and social progress. It is a matter of reinforced concrete or buildings that crumble when the earth moves.
    But that is only a partial answer. Even in Haiti, many survived and in Chile, some died. Why? Jan’s preaching this Sunday, and is making noises about diving into this text from Luke. I, for one, can’t wait to hear what she has to say.
    See you Sunday. And glad to be your pastor, Central.

Dr. Michael Mooty, Senior Minister

Past Letters

January 6, 2010
July 15, 2009
July 29, 2009
August 5, 2009
August 20, 2009
September 2, 2009
September 16, 2009
October 1, 2009
October 11, 2009