Again, so much for trying to keep this current

Summer has come... and quickly fading away.

My family celebrated my nephew's first birthday a few weeks ago. Can't believe my little man is a year!

I'm currently wrapping up the grant program I manage and after that's done at the end of this month, I'm not certain what lies ahead. This always seems to happen this time of year.

Anyway, after all the challenges of the last month, Aug. 31 will seem like Christmas. I don't know what to expect, but the greatest gift will be what God reveals to me.

Still Alive

Wow! Just realized that it's been a LONG time since I updated. Well, so much for new year's resolutions.

Will update soon.

Reflecting on Haiti Relief

Since the tragic earthquake in Haiti, I've been engaged in coordinating Florida's response in providing relief. Florida is in a unique position to provide relief because of our geographic proximity to Haiti: all flights entering the continental U.S. must land in Florida and most of the volunteers and donations leaving the US and bound for Haiti are being sent through Florida's airports and ports.

Words can't describe the privilige I have to witness the outpouring of support from Florida and the many partners I've work with during disasters as they mobilize for Haiti. America was truly rallying support and channeling its compassion to the poorest nation of the Western Hemisphere.

Then, Pat Robertson had to speak. I was so ticked beyond belief.... until last night.

One of my greatest heroes, Fr. Mike celebrated mass and his homily hit the nail on the head. During times of tragedy, we constantly ask ourselves why these things happen.

Is the event in Haiti punishment by God?

Our God is not a God of Punishment. In a tragedy like this, Fr. Mike told us to look upon Jesus curing the blind man in John 9. When his disciples asked whether the man's blindness was caused by his sin or the sin of his parents, Jesus replied it was neither. Jesus was there to do the work of the Father-- to be light through compassion and care. These natural events occur, and God intentionally leaves us without knowledge or source for such tragedy... consistent with the spirit of the Book of Job. However, this is the moment where we are called to be the light.

The earthquake in Haiti is not rooted in evil. Evil is the absence of God, and God IS PRESENT IN HAITI. The first reading from Sunday's mass certainly reflects this and how truly appropriate during this tragedy:

Is 62:1-5
For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken,
“or your land “Desolate,
“but you shall be called “My Delight,
“and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.

I continue to pray that I become the light of God's presence to the Haitian people.

Thunderclouds at Stormont

A long-standing news junkie, I always try to pick up a daily or a mag in whatever city I'm visiting and read up on the local news. Long after my travels are over, I try to keep connected with the culture and people I've encountered by reading media or watching video online.

When I checked in recently on news from Northern Ireland, I became intrigued by a political scandal .

It has all the elements for the perfect recipe for a scandal:

• adultery - married well-known woman has affair with man.


• age - woman in her 60s has affair with man 40 years her junior. (she was 59 and he was 19 at the time)

• politics - woman is MLA (Member Legislative Assembly). Her husband is First Minister.

• religion - woman is also well-known for her evangelical faith, plus Northern Ireland has had this long standing thing between Catholics and Protestants.
  

• money - woman gave man money to start a business, which isn't so bad, save the fact that she borrowed it from business developers and casts ethical question because of her political power.

• gay factor - this is a new ingredient in many modern scandals, adding a bit of irony or humor. the woman has lashed out about homosexuality (fueled by her religious beliefs) to go as far as to say it is like a disease that can be cured. The irony, many point out, was that she carried out her affair while talking with a sanctimonious holier-than-thou attitude. (sometimes I wonder if there's really a gay mafia out there that plans these types of "hits.")
  

Northern Ireland-- The Troubles, especially--fascinates me. It has all the elements of human drama, struggle, and oppression, but in the end, I came to hope and pray that peace would prevail. During my visit, I noted a sense of optimism in the friendly people who loved to talk and didn't mind sharing their own opinions.

These thunderclouds at Stormont (the name of the building where the NI Assembly meets; the pic is from my visit) are hopefully just in passing.