What Must I Do?

Two weeks after the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti, and people of good will are still wondering "What more can we do for Haiti?"

Many of us realize that there will be no real change in Haiti so long as the gifts sent are merely cash or the construction of a new infrastructure. Haiti needs more. Haiti needs our hearts. Haiti needs communion with the community of the world. Haiti must not again be forsaken. We must see in Haiti's brokenness an opportunity for togetherness.

We must do for the least of our brothers and sisters as if we were doing for Jesus Himself. For Jesus is truly among us, in the "distressing disguise of the poor."

For many too, I think, another question is rising out of the smoke and dust of this tragedy; "Where is God in all of this?" I believe the answer is not up in the clouds... God is in Haiti. Again, since Jesus has entered our world, our world is not the same. The Author has entered his own pages. He has bound Himself to the paper and ink of our history through the Incarnation of the Son of God. So where is God in all of this unimaginable suffering? He is at its heart, for He has already suffered unimaginably.

I don't believe God is simply looking down from Heaven. I believe He is also looking out from the rubble. God is on the Cross where He has been hanging for centuries.

"So where are we in all of this?" I think the first place to start is at the foot of this Cross, looking on Haiti who has been pierced, hands and feet and side... head crowned with thorns, and in seeing let us believe! Let us hold Haiti like the Pieta...

God is in Haiti. And He is calling out to us...

"Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like my suffering..."

- Lamentations 1:12

Where is God? He is in our suffering, He is really in it. And so now none of it should go to waste. Not a drop of it, for it's mixed with our blood, sweat, and tears. As the priest prays in the Mass, "By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the Divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity."

May this God of blood, sweat, and tears bless the blood, sweat, and tears of Haiti, and of all the generous men and women who are now lending a hand to a suffering people.

"For we are like olives, only when we are crushed do we yield what is best in us."

- Talmud