do something

One of my favorite songs is Do Something by Matthew West. Here is the first verse,
 
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now, I thought
How’d we ever get so far down, and
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, yeah, I created you.”
 
As we are still recovering from the shooting in Las Vegas, I am torn asunder by the terrorist attack in New York on people enjoying the day riding their bikes. I am deeply saddened by the suffering in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the losses of life and property in Houston and Florida. Three weeks ago, I found myself reading stories of rescue workers in southern Mexico digging through rubble after a pair of earthquakes measuring 6.1 and a stunning 7.1. Like the singer Matthew West, I too wonder, how is this ever going to turn around?
 
Are you feeling overwhelmed like me? Edward Everett Hale is quoted with saying, “I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” This tells me there might be something we can do to help those in need.
 
On Friday, November 10th, the diocese is gathering for a massive food packaging event. And, we need more help. There will be enough supplies to make 80,000 relief packets that can feed 4-6 people. Each packet has rice, protein, vegetables, vitamins and it tastes good. Each item goes into a pouch that is then sealed and placed in a box. Because this is a grassroots organization, there are no machines that can process the meals. They have raised the funds to purchase all the necessary ingredients – they just need to get mixed correctly and sealed. That is where the faithful in the diocese step in. We can provide the hands that make the packets. Or, more to the point, you can do it. Children, elderly; there is something for everyone. Anyone can help. These packets will be shipped directly to where they are needed most – Puerto Rico and Mexico.
 
I heard yesterday that there are not enough people signed up to make 80,000 relief packets. This is where Saint John’s can help. We have a carpool list on the counter in the Narthex. The carpool will leave our parking lot at 9 am on Friday. We will return by 2 pm. If you woke up this morning and asked God, “Why don’t you do something,” maybe God is saying to you, “I did – I created you.”

-Fr. Dave