Hurricane Sandy: are we praying for our neighbors?

On this Sunday morning the news programs and the Weather Channel are all about the impending arrival of a late October hurricane that should move in around New Jersey.  Forecasters and experts far wiser than I am predict catastrophic consequences, not so much from wind, but from water.  Apparently, for a category 1 storm, Sandy is taking a path and is so large in scope that water will be piled up high from Delaware/Maryland up to Connecticut and beyond.  We also hear that once Sandy is inland and takes that improbable turn deep into New England she will collide with cold air and produce more misery in the form of a winter type storm.  Can you imagine the possibility of extended loss of power as temperatures fall to an uncomfortable level?

Down here in southeast Louisiana we are no stranger to hurricanes.  We just endured Isaac at the end of August and we had many areas struggle with loss of power for 7-8 days.  Isaac was a category 1.  Isaac pushed a lot of water, like Sandy is predicted to do, and you may recall, many areas in the New Orleans area that never flooded before indeed flooded.  As we prepare to witness Sandy's arrival we do not know the names of all the small towns and streams and tributaries that will become known because of the damage wrought. 

I hope you have room in your prayer life for our neighbors to the north.  We pray and ask God for mercy that all will be sparred from the dangers of potentially losing life and property.  We, in Louisiana who invoke Our Lady of Prompt Succor, can do so on behalf of our neighbor.  And as we pray, ask God to send those who can assist in the quick recovery of the region once the storm has passed.

To those who may read this from the impact zone, stay safe.  Be prepared.  Anticipate the risks if you choose to shelter in place.  And seek God's mercy in prayer.

And while we are praying, let's remember those who have already felt the pain of Sandy in the island nations to our east and south.  Let's pray for their recovery and for the repose of the souls of the 20 or so people who lost their lives due to this storm.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!