The floods have had its effects on just about everyone. Archbishop Bathersby has been stranded in Stanthorpe, his home town, for the past week or so where he went for holidays. The flooding has not caused any significant damage to the churches of the Archdiocese, although some in the country have been inaccessible and their state is unknown. Throughout the Archdiocese we continue our prayers for those who have died and to support all those affected in any way. Fr John Conway is Parish Priest of the Lockyer Valley communities. He has written to thank people for their support. He said, "This is the biggest disaster that has ever happened here, but the response form people in the area has been just phenomenal. I've seen people who have been evacuated from their homes working in emergency centres. They are reaching out even in the midst of their own crises."

Understandably, the media coverage of the events has been relentless in recent days. We who are at some distance from the floods can have mixed feelings about it all. Talking to some people during the week they have told me that as they watched the TV they found themselves in tears even though they had no one close to them involved. Others were feeling uneasy as they felt they should be doing something to help but are unable to. They had to content themselves with donating to the flood appeals.

Even though our disaster might seem small in comparison with the 500 dead in landslides in Brazil this week, or the 300,000 displaced in floods in Sri Lanka this week, or the horrific result of the Haiti earthquake just 12 months ago this week, nevertheless, it is major in its impact on each and every individual and family involved. It is major in its long lasting effects on the country and its economy as a whole. We all will have to carry the burden of it for some years to come.

The tragedy has reminded us vividly of our common humanity with people everywhere. We share our dependence on the earth in all its moods. We have seen our common destiny in the willingness of people to pitch in and help those in need. We do have an extraordinary wealth of resources and people to help us in times of crisis like this unlike many poorer countries. We have seen that response this week and we give thanks for it.

In times of crisis like this in our grief we can become angry. Some may want to blame God or the government, or both, for our plight. We in Australia have come to expect a very high level of support from our county. Other poorer countries who do not have such a highly developed economy tend not to blame God but rather to turn to God for help in their desperation.

Our prayer today is not to ask God to turn back the clock and prevent these events to suit our needs. Rather, we acknowledge our utter dependence on God and our fragility as creatures. We pray with the Psalmist today, “I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.” In our prayer today we cry out in solidarity with all those who are grieving their loss as we, like them, find our faith tested.

The Lord calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee we read in the Gospel chosen for today (Mark 4:35-41). There was a real human crisis for the disciples as they feared drowning. It was also a crisis of faith for them as they observed Jesus asleep in the boat. What we face today is no different. In our search for faith in times of need we find hope in Jesus command to the wind and sea. "Peace. Be still!" Realising in faith that God is with us we can also cry out with the Psalmist today, "He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God" (See Psalm 39).

What we do here in prayer is no small contribution for those who suffer. Our prayers are a powerful force for good as we offer our lives with Christ in his prayer on the cross.

Fr Graham