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Text Box: HURRICANE KATRINA COMMENTS Hurricane Katrina has caused numerous types of victims. There are more than the injured, dead, homeless, jobless, displaced, and the kinds of victims we usually think of in a disaster. It includes those who sin in making unwarranted attacks on the integrity and character of others, those who use the storm and its effects to their own advantage without also providing something of equal advantage to others, and those who failed in their responsibilities through their own negligence where that negligence was sinful. It also includes those who have had to pay higher prices for fuel, petroleum, and other products, and any who profiteered therefrom. And it includes those who question God in causing the storm, or in allowing the storm - these especially do not accept the fact that God as Creator owns us, we are His property, and He can do with us as He wills. Most importantly they do not understand that they do not have the mental capability to comprehend God's reasons for allowing the storm and its effects. They do not appreciate another fact, that Hurricane Katrina is a blessing; a blessing which many might not comprehend; a blessing which many may never understand in this life. We have been given the opportunity to ask God to help us and others. Did we take advantage of that opportunity? We have been given the opportunity to thank God for His help. Have we thanked Him? We have been given the opportunity to spiritually and materially assist and befriend people we know and people we do not know. Have we fulfilled this opportunity to any extent? We have also been given the opportunity to assess our lives, relationships, and values. We have been given the opportunity to re-establish our lives, relationships, and values, in the only realm which is both meaningful and permanent - in the realm where

Text Box: God is predominant and the material world is merely ancillary. During and after hurricane Katrina there were some instances of cold blooded horror inflicted person upon person. But there were more instances of people helping people, working together, seeking the needs of others and providing what was needed. Sexual preference suddenly became an insignificant character trait. Differences in religious beliefs (dogma) became irrelevant, as long as the religious beliefs were not atheistic or agnostic - and even the atheists and agnostics kept their beliefs to themselves. People became sensitive to the life styles, character traits, strengths, weaknesses, desires, and needs of others. They made allowances for that in others which differed from themselves, and making allowance is greatly different from tolerance for allowance takes a difference into consideration while toleration can range from sullenly ignoring to exuberant celebration. I made my share of blunders, and unfortunately I will probably make many more. I regret each of them of which I am aware, and regret each of them of which I am not aware and regret my not being aware. Does this mean I suddenly believe all religions are equal, or that all life styles are permissible? Of course not. But it does mean my love for each human being has been reaffirmed, as has my desire they each attain union with God. And it has increased the grief in my heart over those who potentially may not attain eternal union with God for what ever reason. It has rejuvenated my determination to pray and to do that which may assist every human-being to attain eternal union with God for all eternity. Most Reverend Paul, S.S.B. Superior General, The Society of Clerks

Text Box: Secular of Saint Basil Ref: Gal. 3:16-22; Luke 17:11-19 +

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