http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/24488578
Remember those first estimates of 300 some casualties? And now this: "10K dead in Japan amid fears of nuclear meltdowns" (Weekend Edition, March 13, 2011). I can't look at these pictures without tears. I spent the first twenty years of my life among these people. I went to their public schools with some of them, to one of their universities. It's awful. I've received emails indirectly from one of them, but some are incommunicado. Cell phones are out. Trains aren't running. It's far worse than 9/11. There's not even the "benefit" of an enemy to focus their outrage. It's just vast devastation. Horrible. Pray for the Japanese people.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Who hears the cries of those in distress. We gather in our sorrow to bring our pain and our concerns to the Lord and ask that he give the people of Japan strength and courage to face the days ahead. God our Father you set the earth on its foundation and all the elements of nature obey your command. Help the Japanese people in their time of trouble; calm the earthquake and the disaster that follows threatening these people and turn the fear of your power into praise of your goodness. Have mercy on those who have died and welcome them into your kingdom of peace and joy. In your compassion look upon us and give us tears to morn their loss. Let us always feel the presence of your love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Catholic Book of Prayer)
ReplyDeleteI have prayed to St. Francis Xavier asking him to continue his love for Japan by praying for the people of that country.
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you know a good charity to which we could donate for Japan? I thought that there would be a collection taken in our parish for this cause but there wasn't one. For personal reasons I do not and never will donate to the Red Cross.
Donna
Roger,
ReplyDeleteThank you for that prayer from the prayer book.
Donna,
I wish I knew a good charity to which you could donate for Japan. Historically, the Japanese are a bit difficult to make the object of charity, as they prefer to take care of themselves. I can only hope that under the circumstances, they will accept whatever is offered. They surely need it at this desperate time.
The request for St. Francis Xavier's intercession is beautifully a propos. Thank you for sharing that intention. He was a great missionary to Japan (as well as India) during his life, and is a great intercessor now. Our daughter's patron saint is St. Francesa Xavier Cabrini whose namesake was the same.