Haiti; A Parable

As I read my morning prayers today, some words focused and re-focused my mind on what is happening in Haiti.

Mary bore only one Son. In heaven, he is the only-begotten of the Father; on earth, likewise, he is the only-begotten of his mother. She is the only virgin mother and glories in having borne the only-begotten of the Father, embracing the same only-begotten of hers in all his members. Therefore, she is not confused when she is called the mother of all in whom she recognizes her Christ brought to full stature, or in whom she knows he is continually growing.

We are called the Body of Christ, meant to grow in him and to be one with him, together. What I know of Haiti I have read, not learned first-hand. It is poor, its institutions and governments are corrupt and disorganized. It seems ripe for a dictator-led takeover. It has a large Catholic population. And now U.S.-coordinated groups are there to help provide relief and clear the chaos and death after the earthquake. And then?

Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad; for the work of your hands I shout with joy. O Lord, how great are your works! How deep are your designs! I suspect after the feeding of people becomes organized, the burials done, and the clearing of the rubble begun, there will be many proposals on what to do next. Everyone will propose THE solution to all problems, and the next steps forward. I suspect all these plans will come to nothing. Much money has been spent in the past, probably much will be spent now. And nothing will change.

Oh, undoubtedly new infrastructure, utilities, office buildings, stores, will be built – and are needed – but the use of these will quickly fall into corrupt methods. Haiti of last year will be the Haiti of this year – with newer buildings and new monies for the few in power. I’m sure some people will be given new homes built out of relief efforts, but I recall the effects of our own Congress’ dictate that everyone in America will own a home, too. It won’t work or make a difference in the long run; it will be a focus on the wrong things. So what IS the right thing? The Lord is just; in him, my rock, there is no wrong.

May all who have been chosen by your Son always abound in works of faith, hope and love in your service. Can one man make a difference? I can give you examples of individuals who ARE making a large difference, right now, today. Oh, they are not saving countries or even cities, but they are saving lots of individuals, one by one. They opened their minds and hearts to the will of the Father, and are following his call, and they ARE making a difference. The reason for their success is that they changed their hearts from doing things for themselves to doing things in your service. I recall that there was one man a long time ago, ONE MAN, who decided to do the same thing. He was born in Bethlehem. He didn’t lead countries, he didn’t change cities, but he dedicated his life to following his Father’s will, in him, my rock, there is no wrong.

Almighty Lord, make us worthy to give you service, to put away ambitious thoughts and associate with those who are lowly. I think that great changes for the better can come to Haiti. If they do come, however, I suspect they will not come at the great designs of countries, men, or dictators. Great changes will come at the hands of a few individuals who will accept the call the Father has for them, and will seek to know and do his will. There are many people in Haiti who would follow a good, righteous leader, not a governmental one, but a humble one. And he could make great changes for the better. In God all things are possible, if we offer ourselves to him in service.

Our very existence is a gift from you; to you we offer all that we have and are.

My prayers this morning focused my mind on Haiti. Let us all pray for the people of Haiti, and God’s will for them, his entire will, and not the will of a few men who know THE solution to Haiti’s problems. Only God knows. I trust in Him.