Praying for victims of Hurricane Harvey and finding inspiration in a priest in a kayak

What a frightening time for the people who are affected by the flooding from Hurricane Harvey in Texas.They are in desperate need of our prayers—prayers for those who are being rescued and those doing the rescues, along with prayers for many who are still waiting and hoping that they will be able to stay in their homes.

I was touched by this story of Father David Bergeron of the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston, who was kayaking through Houston hoping to pray with people and celebrate Mass. He was having trouble buying wine to consecrate because it was before noon on a Sunday.

Here is a priest who is joyfully embracing his vocation and working to bring Jesus to people when he has every excuse to stay safe and stay home. But even during Ordinary Time, as we’re in right now, God doesn’t call us to stay home. He doesn’t tell us that faith is just for the easy times.

And if God has provided a kayak, He expects us to use it. I’m grateful to Fr. David for reminding me that God gives us the tools and talents and time we need to serve—and that often we have much more to give than we realize.

What do we have to give right now? And how is God asking us to serve others today?

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