On the suffering of others

Romans 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters:
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

The commandments,
"You shall not commit adultery;
you shall not kill;
you shall not steal;
you shall not covet, "
and whatever other commandment there may be,
are summed up in this saying, namely,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Love does no evil to the neighbor;
hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Matthew 18:20:

For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

This week we have been allowed to witness one of the greatest natural disasters to befall our people. Though we were prepared, we were caught off-guard none-the-less. Thousands were stranded without food, shelter, water, medical, or other personal supplies. There will be time enough in the coming weeks to apportion blame among the blameworthy, should there be any. But at the moment we must remember that Jesus was and is present among those stranded at the Convention Center, in the Super Dome, on roof tops, at Tulane Medical Center. Jesus is among those in the City and those who have managed to escape, and in those who worry or weep tonight over the sorrow of the Gulf Coast.

Let us love our sisters and brothers tonight, and tomorrow, and over the coming months; let us bring the law to great fulfillment in our care and concern for these women, men, and children who have been in the close company of Jesus these last days.