What can make us whole?

A sudden and unexpected loss can devastate the life of a family and a community. We see this not only in the history of our own families and communities but also in the life of many people around the world. This loss come about through the effects of nature, through the actions of people or simply through our own mortality. This trauma and ruction in the fabric of what appears normal can cause as to ask questions of ourselves and our society. How do we stand by those in great need? How do we find life in the midst of what seeks to bring about destruction and death? What can we do differently to address those forces which we know can wreak such havoc?

Jesus is not immune to such events in his own life and in the life of the communities in which he walked. He did not seek to add moral judgement to these circumstances but sought to respond to the immediate need of the person. By seeking compassion and mercy as the touchstone of our Christian lives we can start to see our own response to such events. We are called to see the person first and respond to them with concern for what will make them whole.