Our world is still reeling from the disastrous effects of Hurricane Ian in South West Florida. Ian has disrupted the daily lives of so many people, now faced with the deadly fear and uncertainty of how to cope and recover from this calamity. And still, it continues on its path of destruction, north of Florida.

Insurance carriers blame this hurricane on the Deity, and call it an “Act of God.” There was a news clip on television of a young woman, surrounded by debris and destruction, who remarked: “We are expected to start over.” But looking over her shoulder at the sight of the ruination behind her she tearfully cried, “Where do we start?”

This catastrophe of Nature calls for more than human solutions or financial reimbursements. It calls for the kind of spirit which will enable those affected by this cataclysm of nature to survive it and move on with their lives. One thing we can take out of this, is the resilience of the human spirit to survive the worst.

The human spirit shows enormous resilience in times of crisis. People draw on a power within to overcome what has befallen them. I saw a woman of 85 years of age who was trapped in deep waters that had penetrated her home. She described how the water seeped into her home, then rose all the way to her arm-pits. But she did not lose hope. Her good neighbor left his own perilous situation to walk to her home and carry her through the waters to a safer spot where he and his family were gathered. When asked about the neighbor who rescued her, the woman said, “He is a blessing.” When he was asked about it, he replied: “This neighborhood is full of good people who are wiling to offer each other a helping hand.”

That’s the kind of neighborhood we need.

A reporter then pressed the man further: “What motivated you to do what you did?”

“I love her” was his reply.

Love is the answer to a multitude of problems.

Scripture tells us that if we have enough faith we can move mountains. This is a time for the kind of faith that can remove the mountains of debris caused by Ivan, and for the kind of inner strength displayed by the man who left his own family to rescue his 85-year old neighbor.

In spite of all the suffering and damage inflicted by Ian, this terrible hurricane, it is heartening to see the efforts of so many, from the highest reaches of national and state governments, to local organizations and courageous individuals, willing to reach out and help so many helpless victims.

We are all in this together and we either rise or fall together. In spite of all that has happened, one thing is sure: life will renew itself again.

It always does.

Lord, protect those affected by this hurricane,

And bless them each and every one.

Be with the rescue workers, and keep them safe

As they make heroic efforts to rescue those in trouble.

Let those in peril know they are not alone,

But you are with them in their darkest hour.

Amen.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy