Waves of Destruction, Waves of Compassion

"I was getting ready to go for work and saw the huge wave," Prakasa Mary, who lives in Srinivasapuram, in the south of India, told Catholic Relief Services (CRS) "I turned around and grabbed three children to get them out onto the top of the building. Water rushed from the sea in front and the river rose and covered the entire area. As I turned I saw a bus being carried by the waves. It crashed against a building and the building collapsed. It all happened in a matter of seconds. We were lucky to get to the other side. Many others were not as lucky."

Visawanath fishes for a living in the same area of India, and although he and his family survived the waves, he lost his most important possession: his fishing boat. Unable to provide for his family, he moved them to a refugee camp. As the CRS webpage points out, "The plight of Visawanath is multiplied thousands of times in Asia and Africa. The 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting storm surges have killed tens of thousands in 12 countries: Bangladesh, Burma, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand."

Ever since the earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004, we have heard countless stories of tragedy, each new one seeming worse than the last. The magnitude of the disaster is difficult to comprehend. We might even be growing numb each day now as we return to school and hear more and more details of the disaster. Just like the catastrophe itself, wave after wave of bad new, frightening news, threaten to wash over us.

Maybe it helps to pay attention to other ripples, the tiny efforts of individuals who, in their own small ways, are making waves--not of destruction, but of compassion.

On another page of the CRS website we hear of a Baltimore, Maryland cab driver, Carroll, who recently stopped by the CRS office. He wanted envelopes to collect donations, explaining that he picks up and drives about 50 people a day. He told the relief workers that conversation turns to the disaster and people wonder how to help. Carroll wanted to be able to hand anyone who expressed an interest in helping an envelope with CRS' address on it. First he took 50 envelopes. Later in the day he came back, and took a whole box.

Two young children came into CRS with their mom. They were carrying an envelope on which they had written, in their blocky primary-school printing, "This is for the people who help the people who were hit by the wave." In it, they had collected all the money that they had been given for Christmas.


Gestures like these cannot undo the harm, bring back the dead--they may even be too little, too late, to help the dying. But deep within, the human heart knows that we cannot do nothing. Even though our gestures to help seem like small ripples, we also know that that was what the tsunami was like in the middle of the ocean. It only became a huge wave of destruction as it raced to shore.

So our little efforts, small ripples, combine with the efforts of others, and race towards those in need, forming large, life-giving waves of love and support.

Catholic Connection
"The news coming from Asia shows us ever more the extent of the catastrophe which particularly struck India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The international community and many humanitarian organizations have come together quickly to lend help. Numerous charitable institutions of the Church are doing the same. In the Christmas spirit of these days, I invite all believers of good will to generously contribute to this great work of solidarity with the peoples, subject to such a harsh trial and exposed to the danger of disease. I am by their side through my prayer and affection, especially those who are injured and homeless, while I entrust the innumerable victims who lost their life to the divine mercy."
Pope John Paul II, December 29, 2004

Reflection Questions

Tell your favorite story of a small-step that someone--maybe even you--have taken to help the victims of this catastrophe.

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!