When the world shakes

Every day we are bombarded with bad news. Catastrophes have become part of everyday life, and our ears are so used to tragedy that we’ve grown indifferent to anything that doesn’t affect us directly. If it didn’t happen to my family or my friends, I cover my ears, close my eyes and pretend it never happened to anyone. Every so often, though, a disaster happens that grabs everyone’s attention a little more intensely.

The earthquake in Nepal made the ground shake everywhere. The weight of despair and helplessness flooded hearts on that 28th, and there were no words to express the ache of the soul for those who lost almost everything. In moments like that, things matter less and life gains value. Love knocks at the door and waits until someone opens. And we open. We give a little here, spend a few minutes in prayer there, rally our friends and do our best to do everything Love teaches us. We feel that little bit of pride that gives us the cathartic sense of “having done my part”.

Love comes in. We offer Him the guest room for the night. Time goes by and Love keeps wanting to act on behalf of others. And He starts to speak louder, suggest actions, pull us out of our comfort zone. He makes us see that one donation isn’t enough and that tragedy happens every day. He makes us see that we need to give our lives. And we turn our backs.

We busy ourselves with what doesn’t cost us much. We convince ourselves that the little we once did was enough. And Love, always gentle, keeps speaking, but we no longer hear Him — so loud is the voice of indifference.

Love is at the door, and He wants not only to dwell, but to be heard.

Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.