Are Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the multiple wildfires currently set ablaze out west, and the two most recent earthquakes in Mexico and Japan a coincidence? There is much more to the story that we may not be thinking about and are not seeing. In the case of a glacier, the majority of it is unseen below the surface of the water. Could what we are not seeing with the recent hurricanes that have devastated the southern parts of our country be the majority, moral element as to WHY these disasters are taking place? I believe these events and times are a warning and a call to repentance. Our country is now starting to pay for the many sins it has committed: abortion including embryonic stem cell research, cloning, “same-sex unions,” contraception, fornication, pornography, the abuse of the environment through waste and pollution, and the list goes on that includes breaking the 10 commandments and the rampant engagement with the seven deadly sins. By committing these acts on an individual level, one has abused the gift of free will, and as a whole, our country has abused the gift of freedom that was purchased at a price both through the sacrifice of our nation’s soldiers to the point of death as well as through our Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Cor. 7:23).
Let’s go back in biblical history to see the price people paid through the sin that occurred at Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19) or the sin that brought on the Great Flood during Noah’s time (Gen. 5:28–10:1). Despite these destructive, biblical events, we are reminded that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked too (Ez. 18:23, Ez. 33:11). Strangely enough, I also believe the Lord is allowing nature to wreak havoc on our nation and around the world for our purification out of one word….LOVE.
The Lord disciplines those he loves (Prv. 3:12, Heb. 12:6). God is our Father, and we are his children who he loves but disciplines, and for good reason when we stray. Think of the simple analogy of a parent who disciplines a child for sin. The parent corrects the child so that that the child grows into a person of virtue, of faith, and as a good, law-abiding citizen. But a parent also disciplines out of love, because he or she cares about the child’s health and well being. In addition, the parent cares about the child’s eternal destination. To not care or not act to discipline a child would not be to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a parent and would be a failure or sin of omission. But I know many of you parents are doing a good job in discipling your children and in giving warnings as God calls you to do, just as God rightfully does to all of us. Similarly, not to heed warnings as proclaimed in this past Sunday’s readings brings judgment, not just on the individual, but on the nation too. While thoughts of destruction and devastation could lead to temptations of fear, let us remember that “perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment” (1 Jn. 4:18).
One way to encounter the love of Jesus Christ and keep the paralyzing fear at bay, is to simply spend time in the silence of adoration – adoring Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist on the altar or when present in the tabernacle while praying for our country and the reparation of our sins. This love is shown further through the gift of mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
While scientifically there may be an explanation for these hurricanes which a meteorologist could tell you (certainly not me :), morally, I believe the increasing amount of natural disasters are happening because of our sin and our failure to heed the warnings of having a change of heart and converting our lives back to God. God loves us so much that he is allowing these hurricanes and other events like the wildfires out west, and the earthquakes in Mexico and Japan to occur for our purification, because He desires that no souls be lost or damned (Jn. 3:16, 2 Pt. 3:9, 1 Tm. 2:4).
We are reaping what we have sown, but God always brings about a greater good from sin and disaster, though we may not realize it at the time, in the short-term, in the long-term, and we may not find out until we get to heaven. In the meantime, we are to prepare and be vigilant for what is to come through praying the rosary, attending Mass, fasting, and being disciples of joy. Let us take confidence that Jesus is already victorious past, present, and future.
We are also not to be caught up in the media web worrying about what is happening thousands of miles of away. We are to be informed but in a limited way with moderation of news intake to protect against Satan stealing our joy. Remember that Jesus is in charge of our lives and God is in control of the world despite the changes that are happening around us, and He has appointed people and angels for different roles throughout the world – things we don’t and shouldn’t have to worry about thousands of miles away despite the globalized and interconnected world in which we live. God is just asking us to be responsible what he has given us to do and with those he has entrusted to encounter and care for in the here and now. Imagine how quickly this world could change if everyone simply loved themselves and loved the people around them that God puts in their midst just for today. May we ask people for their permission to challenge them, to challenge with charity, to speak the truth with love, and to replace fear, worry, and anxiety with peace, joy, and love knowing that the latter three are of God.
Speaking of challenge, Job was challenged in a big way. He lost his property and his children. He was tempted with sores. His three friends thought he must have committed a great sin. God later humbled Job, but in the face of great loss, Job responded, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” (Job 1:21). Due to Job’s fierce fidelity not to forsake God, He restored Job’s fortune two-fold.
During these times of challenge and of loss, especially for those in the southern part of the U.S. and in the Caribbean, may we also be inspired with confidence to “Unleash the Gospel” as Archbishop Vigneron has so eloquently put it as part of his pastoral letter for the people of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and have bold faith in Jesus during these turbulent times of purification. Let us look at these times of change and uncertainty not just through the lens of terrible weather but through the moral lens of love and as opportunities to be witnesses of the love of Christ as seen so wonderfully through the outpouring of generosity in fundraisers for the hurricane victims from Houston and Miami. This is an opportunity for faith and hope while God purifies, simplifies, and disciplines. “So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
-Fr. Jeff
"Speak The Truth with Love," A Catholic Blog by Fr. Jeff Allan 
This message was picked up immediately in some online prayer groups I belong to — even before the earthquakes, some suggested that we should watch for them. It was also noted that the purification isn’t directed only toward the people who were devastated by the wildfires and Hurricane Harvey (the only disasters that had manifested at the time this thought was brought up — Irma was still building strength, with an uncertain trajectory). These prayerful people recognized that it’s for us to act in reparation for our collective sins as well as our individual sins, and the Facebook page, “Pray the HOLY ROSARY Daily,” began “broadcasting” live 24hr “events” where we joined in praying all 4 sets of mysteries of the Rosary. In some places, churches were opened to host vigil prayer ’round the clock in the days leading up to Irma’s landfall in Florida. Some credit the relatively quick degradation of the storm to global prayer (myself included). I think we can be heartened by the prayerful response, but we must continue our prayers and sacrifices. Early this morning (9/12/17) there were earthquakes measuring 2.6-3.6 off the coasts of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and one on the D.R. mainland that registered 4.0. While these events are thousands of miles away, I think we should look at them in the way Father Sal describes it: It’s like when you and your sibling(s) get into some trouble, but only one of you is caught. You both/all deserve the consequences. Let’s at least share the penance to atone for our transgressions, trusting in our loving Father’s mercy.
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