Photos found here

By now everyone has seen the devastating photographs, like the one above, of the people of Haiti. You have cried with them and prayed for them.

We also see photos such as this. Presidents Bush, Obama and Clinton walking side by side. United. At Peace. Putting the needs of others first. Showing love to strangers.

I close my eyes and pretend that this is the world we live in. A world where there is no war raging in the middle east. A world where people come together to help others, expecting nothing in return. A world where there are no politics involved. A world where only love exists. Then I realize that this is what Christ's kingdom will be like and I pray.

When a natural disaster strikes, I can't help but think of something my spiritual father said to me during a conversation about helping others. We had just listened to a homily about opening our doors to those in need. I told him that I was afraid to just pick up a stranger off the side of the road or invite a hungry man to share our dinner table. Things are different nowadays, right?

That's when he told me that, yes, things are different and we have to exercise caution when approaching strangers, but that does not mean that we are unable to help others in need. He went on to give an example of a natural disaster and the hundreds or thousands of people who are in need at that time. We must really open our hearts during those times, we are especially responsible during those times.

Yet, every time a disaster strikes and we gather in the living room to prepare relief kits, I always find myself asking, why now? Why did it take a 7.0 earthquake for me to send such a small offering to these people who were hurt and hungry long before January 12? I feel the guilt in the pit of my stomach and I continue to stuff bags with toothbrushes, band-aids and hand towels. I think it's the guilt of knowing how often I forget my responsibility to others that makes me feel like my meager efforts are simply not enough.

Many of you may have already donated to various organizations but just in case some of you are still wondering how you could help, here are a couple of ways:

IOCC Relief Kits

Craft for Hope: Items donated will be for sale in this Etsy shop. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. ** It was brought to my attention that Doctors Without Borders may be a pro-abortion organization. I am currently looking into this and until I can either confirm or rule it out, I will not be donating items...I apologize for any confusion.

Most importantly, let's remember our Haitian brothers and sisters in prayer.