Heaven and hell...

It seems like last week that Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans - and it seemed like an eternity passed before the US government responded in any meaningful way. Two years ago - just three years after Katrina - our church and others from the Berkshire Habitat for Humanity project spent 10 days building houses in a still devastated community. As we worked - and also visited, studied, talked and prayed - it became clear that the loss of human life and dignity continued to be staggering. It was a moving and sweet time for each of us and I give thanks to God that we could be a part of the rebuilding of that broken place. I hope we go back next year...

That is, perhaps, why my heart rejoices that my government is not paralyzed by fear, indifference or even racial neglect given the much uglier disaster in Haiti. President Obama has clearly shown that he is a person of action and compassion - and he is making certain that the US government does its part - in bringing a measure of healing and hope to our wounded sisters and brothers. And the private sector - business, philanthropic and religious - is boldly active, too. And this is also one of those little signs of heaven amidst the hell: our hearts and checkbooks are open. Pat Robertson may spew his ugly and hate-filled theology - and some souls may still be duped - but not the majority.

So many time ideological souls of every stripe miss this essential truth about the American people: to be sure, we have often acquiesced to political and economic violence - and left unquestioned acts that violate our deepest values - but at the same time there is a generosity that once unlocked is also unrivaled. I remember seeing Bono not only shut Bill O'Reilly up but bring him to tears talking about the best values and actions of the American people. And the older I become the more I want to celebrate and strengthen what is good and best within and among us.

With a cruel natural disaster in our back yard - and two wars raging halfway across the world - I give thanks to God for the acts of compassion that are in play tonight. I pray, too, with you for those who have lost so much. It is staggering... and I pray we do our part to bring a whole lot more heaven into this hell.