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| Aftermath of Japan quake |
We call them "natural disasters" that strike without mercy anytime, anyplace, leaving behind large swaths of destruction with myriad lives lost, billions of dollars worth of property damaged or destroyed and economies ruined.
Just days following the devastation of Christchurch, New Zealand by a 6.3 temblor last February, the entire country of Japan is now reeling under the heavy blows of the magnitude 9 killer quake that struck March 19, which spawned a 30-ft tsunami that wiped out villages and damaged the country's Fukushima Nuclear Power complex that is now causing jitters around the world because of radioactive emissions.
Only the most callous of hearts perhaps would not feel sympathy towards the Japanese for all the troubles they are going through now. I can't imagine being in such a situation myself.
In a jitney I was riding the other day, two elderly gentlemen were discussing this latest tragedy in the history of mankind. One of the men said: (translation) "Well, it's a wakeup call for everyone of us, particularly those who are awash with cash and who have forgotten God."
That kept me thinking as we rode on till I reached home. The man was right. Our material wealth significantly loses its value (i.e., if it's not altogether lost like when it's swept away by the rampaging tsunami) when disaster strikes. What becomes really valuable in times of disaster is our humanity -- the desire, need and capacity to connect to fellow human beings.
When we were kids we bothered little, if at all, about riches and the big things that preoccupy adult people most of their time. A few coins in our pocket were enough to make us happy for the day. All we wanted was to have fun all day -- everyday -- before we retired for the night.
As we grew older, however, our outlook began to change. Before long, all we wanted was to become rich and have all the material things we want in life.
As adults, our wants become so overwhelming that we toil long hours to acquire them. In fact, we don't even think of the things we actually need. We think of our wants as need and so we work hard for it. Even when we already have more than enough to sustain us and our family for the rest of our fragile life, we still want more: billions in the bank, a palatial home, a fleet of expensive cars, a multi-million dollar yacht, a Gulfstream jet, vacation in the Bahamas and other pricey resorts for months -- the good, "exciting" life.
As adults, our wants become so overwhelming that we toil long hours to acquire them. In fact, we don't even think of the things we actually need. We think of our wants as need and so we work hard for it. Even when we already have more than enough to sustain us and our family for the rest of our fragile life, we still want more: billions in the bank, a palatial home, a fleet of expensive cars, a multi-million dollar yacht, a Gulfstream jet, vacation in the Bahamas and other pricey resorts for months -- the good, "exciting" life.
We have little empathy and compassion for the destitute. Why should we? We worked hard to become rich. Doing good is far from our minds.
"These pathetic, lazy poor. Why don't they just get out of our way ...."
And then calamity strikes. It's a close call.
"Thank God, we are alive."
Yes it is a wake up call for everyone...that what man builds for years, Mother Nature created by GOD can destroy it in just SECONDS and it will take another number of years before man can rebuild again if man still can.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we are not to judge anybody if calamities or disasters come to our lives. We have our own share of disasters, it's just thru different ways.
The best thing that we can do, let's pray for all those people who were affected and ask GOD to strengthen their Faith and heart to be able to rebuild their lives back again.
Thank you very much, friend, for your comment. Indeed, calamities do not discriminate when they strike. Like our body that feels the pain when one of its parts is hurt, and so, as one human family, we must feel sympathy towards disaster victims whoever, whatever, and wherever they may be, and extend help in whatever form (material goods, prayers, encouragement, etc.) as we are able.
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