Dunkirk Evacuation
Dear Parishioners,
This past summer I saw the movie Dunkirk at the theater. It was a moving story about Allied troops
being rescued as both the military and civilians cooperated in a remarkable
rescue attempt. Here’s a synopsis of the
movie:
In May 1940, Germany advanced into
France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground
cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically
evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that
could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British,
Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated. (IMDb)
It struck me how the teamwork
of civilians and the military led to an otherwise improbable great rescue.
Recently, we watched as Hurricane Harvey drenched areas of Texas
and the Gulf coast reminding me of the account of Noah and the great
flood. Again, the cooperation of
neighbor helping neighbor and civilians working with federal and state government
agencies and the military, helped to save so many people who were caught off
guard. People came from different parts
of the country. There were police, fire-fighters,
EMT’s, swift water rescue teams, the American Red Cross, Animal Rescue Corps, the Cajun Navy, FEMA, the US Coast Guard, and many, many
volunteers and organizations working hand in hand. Rescuers employed jet skis,
monster trucks, helicopters, military vehicles and boats of every size. People responded with donations of food,
water, clothing, blankets, pillows and money.
Strangers came together and cooperated.
They helped one another.
At various times of tragedy,
the best in human nature often becomes more apparent. Despite the disaster, people seem to rise to
the occasion. I saw this after 9-11, Katrina
and Sandy, and now Harvey. People came together to help one another, to
sustain one another. Good surfaced
despite the evil or tragic cause.
We all need to take a lesson from
the selfless behavior of so many of the rescuers. Their sacrifices and willingness to serve
others—knowingly or unknowingly—follows the example of Christ (and his sacrificial
death on the cross). No
one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
(John 15:13) Rescuers
were willing to give of themselves, even risking death, for the benefit of
others. Their valiant efforts saved many,
many lives.
For Jesus’ disciples, His
death on the cross seemed a tragedy and disaster. It was not fair. How could this happen? However, what took place on the cross, what
seems to be death, defeat and loss, was transformed into something life-giving
and salvific. Jesus rose from the
dead. Goodness ultimately triumphed through and despite apparent tragedy.
I am sure there will be many other
tragedies and disasters—natural and man-made—we will have to face in our
lifetime. Yet, I am confident that when
people come together and cooperate, when we are willing to give of ourselves
for the sake of others, when we are more Christ-like,
no catastrophe will have the final
word.
Pray for the victims of Harvey and other natural disasters in
our country and throughout the world.
Pray that the best of human nature will always rise to the
occasion. Our future civilization truly depends
on it.
Fr.
Ed Namiotka
Pastor
A rescue from Hurricane Harvey
