Poverty Awareness Month, especially given that it falls in January, is as good a time as any to remember Haiti -- the poorest nation in the western Hemisphere.
Just one year ago, on January 12th 2010, Port-au-Prince in Haiti was struck with one of the world's most deadly earthquakes, killing thousands of people.
Within the same year, San Diego and Mexico were struck by an even huger earthquake. That tragedy, however, was incomparibly less destructive than the one in Haiti -- in spite of the fact they were of equal proportions. What can be said about these tragedies is that they served to highlight the poverty that existed way before the catastrophe. Poverty in Mexico (which fared far worse in the Southern California "biggy") and extreme poverty in Haiti.
Earthquakes continue to plague the earth. So does poverty. The question in all this is: "What should a God-loving person do?"
Jesus told His disciples to give to the poor and that even a cup of water counts hugely in His eyes if it's done for Him, with the heart of true disciple.
Christian also hold a powerful tool in their hands (metaphorically, of course, unless you actually like to close your hands in prayer): prayer. Many have philosophized about prayer and tried to understand how it works. Why does God need us to pray (after all He knows everything)? How does prayer work? How often should I pray?
But maybe all we need to know about prayer is that it works. What better time to pray for the poor, whether in Haiti, San Diego, Mexico or elsewhere, than now.
Another earthquake article here.
Janey L DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © January 2011
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