When One Part Suffers, All Suffer
by Ellen Hogarty
If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26
It seems that anytime you look at the news, there are reports of another natural disaster. Tornadoes, severe storms, wildfires raging, hurricanes, and mudslides, to name a few. My heart aches for my brothers and sisters who are experiencing the horrific repercussions of these disasters.
In the past, I’ve watched media coverage of destructive hurricanes from my vantage point of living in the desert miles away, with clear blue skies overhead and dry ground all around. It seems surreal and far away.
Recently, however, three large wildfires blazed out of control in an area in New Mexico about two hours north of us. Thousands of forested acres burned, and many houses and buildings were destroyed. We have friends who have houses there, so this disaster hit very close to home.
The Scripture that comes to mind when I learn of another disaster is 1 Corinthians 12:26, where St. Paul speaks about how we all make up the body of Christ. When one part of the body is suffering and in pain, the rest of the body is affected. As I reflect on that, I think of those in the wake of natural disasters who live through fear, loss, and desolation.
“What can I do?” my heart cries out to the Lord.
“Pray from your heart,” I seem to hear.
Pray from the heart
James 5:16 says, “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” I don't know if I qualify as a “righteous person,” but I can pray fervently. And I believe with all my heart that prayer changes things.
So I want to invite you now to stop and pray with me for our sisters and brothers suffering from the weather, wherever they are in the world, and for all the officials and rescue workers trying to help. If a fervent prayer from one person is powerful, how much more powerful are the prayers from many of us!
The following is a prayer from the Catholic Charities website for victims of natural disasters:
Prayer for Disaster Relief
God of hope and mercy, we lift up to you all victims of natural disasters and those responding with assistance and aid.
Protect all who are in any form of danger; provide practical help to those in need; strengthen the weary, console the grieving, heal the suffering; and bless those engaged in disaster relief efforts with safety and courage.
Help all people of good will respond with compassion and generous hearts.
Amen.