Week of January 24-30

Today a friend of mine texted, “Pray for the saints. The city needs this one.” Many prayers of petition have gone out into the world these last 53 months. This prayer request does suggest a solidarity, a shared experience, a hopefulness that becomes apparent when people know one another.

 

The story of the world continues to evolve. 53 months ago this Friday, the 29^th of January the story of New Orleans changed. Now the story of recovery permeates even the reality of those living in the San Francisco Bay Area and all other places where people who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina live.

 

Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth reminds us that we are connected. Most importantly, we are invited to this knowledge that we are intimately reliant on one another and each tragedy affects us as well as each cause for celebration.

 

The story of New Orleans recovery has been my story just as it has been the story of many who have come to volunteer. Now, the recovery has a cause to celebrate with the Saints in today’s NFC Championship.

 

We are witnesses to the energy unleashed by tragedy. We are witnesses to the sense of underdog pride when this city that is not supposed to exist below sea level resurrects itself. We are witnesses to the Saints’ journey of faith, believe, hard work, deepening love as they play a season brilliantly and have an opportunity to present the city and the nation with a gift of SuperBowl madness, joy, and excitement.

 

Yes, it seems unlikely that a football team can offer so much to people. Yet, for New Orleanians, they see themselves in this motley krewe of Saints and Sinners alike. Holy, passionate people just trying their best and working to live lives that they can be proud of with people they love.

 

Yes. The city of New Orleans needs this win. But, I would have to suggest that even if we lose either today or two weeks from now or next season, the gift of the past 53 months has been gift enough… a people whose plight is known… sharing the story of New Orleans with the rest of the world… and the world being changed for it.

 

I pray for all those who continue to be affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina… may we all continue to be generous to one another, and as Jesus read from the scroll from the Prophet Isaiah in the synagogue one day:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.