Being neighbors, our response for Haiti
CLIFTON PARK (Jan. 15) — The initial reports on the 12th barely made the news, a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. After all it was only a few days ago we heard of a 6-something quake off California that caused only minimal damage. The days following, though, unveiled the horror that had been unleashed upon our impoverished neighbor.
“And who is my neighbor?” So asked the teacher of the law to Jesus. He had already gotten his gold star; he gave Jesus a great answer to a question: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“Do this and you will live,” responded Jesus.
I picture him beaming. Then the realization hit — that’s a lot, too much even. There has to be limits. “Who is my neighbor?”
In response Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan. (You can read the whole story in Luke 10:25-37.) Jesus concluded the parable with another question. “Who was neighbor to the one who fell into the hands of robbers.”
The teacher of the law responded, “The one who showed mercy.”
By now it is obvious that the poorest country in North America has suffered a cataclysm. Tens of thousands are dead, and what little infrastructure Haiti had was largely destroyed. We, as people of faith ask, “What can we do?”
The U.S. government is helping. Corporations and entertainment figures are helping. But what can we do?
It is a great question because there is a vital role for the faith community. In fact, church-related ministries are often the most effective at reaching the people in need and in assisting with recovery that will best meet the needs of the people — our neighbors. Often the highest percentage of your donation will be delivered. My own denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in America has promised that 100% of contributions to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund will go to help victims. I’m sure we aren’t alone in this.
Our faith-based relief agencies across multiple denominations were there long before the quake, and we will continue to be there long after the gaze of the media has moved on.
Here is what we can do as neighbors: Bring a donation to your church this Sunday designated for Haiti. Your finance people will know what to do to see that it gets to the proper agency. If you can’t come to church this week call your church office for instructions on how to give or check the website of your church or denomination. The ELCA’s relief fund is at https://community.elca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=538
Together, in showing mercy, we can be neighbors.
Jeff Silvernail is pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park.
