One is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the human suffering and death resulting from the earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami. Our first response must be prayers for God’s mercy and protection for the victims and their families. Then once opportunities to provide financial and material assistance become available we should be generous in our response.

It is interesting how our perspective changes on what seemed to be major problems yesterday in the face of such a catastrophe. Our lives return to our normal pretty quickly, and we’ll go back to worrying about the price of gasoline and the other day-to-day problems that we face. But, for the Japanese people, individually and collectively, their lives will be changed forever.

At a time such as this our compassion for our fellow human beings transcends the religious, cultural and political divisions that seem to separate us.

May God bring peace and healing to this stricken people.