Getting rain in the notoriously hot Texas summer is a blessing, and in the past three weeks we’ve had more than our normal share of it. I loved it. But my heart also goes to everyone who lost their loved ones in last week’s flash flood in Central Texas, not least the families who lost their daughters in Camp Mystic (a popular summer camp for girls). As a parent myself, the grief of losing our child(ren) is beyond my imagination.
In her wisdom, the Catholic Church selected the familiar stories of Jacob, the patriarch of Israel, from the Book of Genesis for the daily Mass readings last week. Jacob also lost his beloved son, Joseph, in a very tragic act. Joseph’s own brothers sold him to strangers because they were envious of him. Then they told their father that a wild beast had devoured Joseph. So sad …
As I pondered these tragic events, the Psalms read during Wednesday Mass took on a more profound meaning to me:
But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine. (Psalms 33:18-19)
In a surprising turn of events, the Lord did deliver Joseph from “death.” He became Pharaoh’s right-hand man, and his foresight saved the Egyptians and people from the surrounding countries – including his aging father and his brothers – from a severe famine. Jacob was reunited with Joseph.
When we are down in the deep valley of grief, it is hard to see where life will lead us. Sometimes, the only thing we can do is cry with the Psalmist, “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.” In His time – we know not how – God will deliver us from “death” and lift us up from our “famine.”
May the eyes of the Lord look kindly on the families that lost their loved one(s) in the recent flood and give them strength and comfort.
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE, WORK, AND FAITH IN THE 21ST-CENTURY AMERICA 