Tornados and Terrorists
John Michael Talbot - May 5, 2003

We are on the road on our Southeast Tour 2003. For two weeks we have been under a cloud of thunderstorms, yet the concerts continue with great success. Last night the worst tornado outbreak in almost 50 years hit the Midwest. Over 80 tornados hit the heart of the nation in at least six states with a devastation not seen on this scale for many years. The pictures on CNN and the evening news were stunning. The attitudes of the survivors, and the mercy of the volunteers again manifested an optimism and community spirit that portrayed the best of Americans during times of tragedy. We are basically a good people. We are especially good in crises.

But one reporter said something that stayed with me. He reported remarks of survivors and observers that the devastation left behind these storms resembled Baghdad after the Coalition bombings. He was right. What took the Coalition a month of bombings in Iraq was accomplished by nature in a matter of seconds in each town where the over 80 tornadoes touched down last night. This gives me occasion to pause and reflect.

It would be a mistake to too easily ascribe this devastation to a loving and merciful God. But God is also just, and often works His providence over both good and evil through the events of nature as well as nations. The coincidence of this tornadic outbreak on the heels of our President's declaration of initial victory over the military phase of the battle for Iraq in the War on Terror cannot be denied.

Before reaching such a conclusion it would be good to remember that generally the Church did not support military action in Iraq. The Pope was clear, as were the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and bishops throughout the world. While stopping short of a complete condemnation, and recognizing that the regime of Sadaam Hussein was certainly not good, the statements were clear; there must be better ways to resolve differences, even with the more militant and oppressive regimes. More specifically, preemptive strikes are a step away from the traditionally understood Just War doctrine of Catholicism and other mainstream Christianity. The issue of fanning the flame of Fundamentalist Moslem hatred of America and the post Christian west is also a justified fear. Plus, there is the pressing question regarding the evidence for weapons of mass destruction which was the main reason used for military force in the first place. But even with this evidence the Church would still call for a higher morality regarding the use of military force to impose peace. To date this position has not changed.

The fundamentalist Moslem community has long called the USA the "great Satan." The reasons for this notorious title concur with challenges that our own clergy have preached for tens of years. Consumerism, promiscuity, and self-absorbed individualism are only a few of the areas where our own Christian clergy have challenged congregations week after week, year after year. But the message has mostly gone unheeded.

So maybe we should sit up and take greater notice when God tries to get our attention. What we pride ourselves in when bringing military might against others can be unleashed by God in the heart of our own nation in a matter of seconds. Our greatest military power and might still pales in the light of the power of nature, or the power of God behind it. It would be a mistake to gloss over the "coincidence" too easily. As I have said continually in union with the Church: Maybe it is time to look deeper into the issues that make us a hated superpower rather than the welcomed liberator throughout the world.

It would also be a mistake to forget the truly positive things about our nation. As wars go the US military has exercised great humility and compassion during the battle for, and occupation of Iraq. Plus we always want to support the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. Concerning the tornadic activity of last night: we want to show great mercy and compassion to the victims of this terrible natural catastrophe.

That being said, let us all take a moment and pause for a serious introspective inventory of our own actions as a nation. Basically we are pretty good people as nations go, especially the superpowers of history. But we are not above error, sin, and correction from God concerning the basic morality of treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. This is the most basic golden rule of the major faiths of the world. Perhaps we should not only take pride in our military victories, but also repent of the deeper issues that cause others to hate us so vehemently. These are the things that create the wars in the first place. This would be our greatest effort for peace and the defeat of terrorism. This would be to learn at least part of the lessons of the Tornadoes and the War on Terror.

May God bless you in the Charity of Christ and His Church,

In Jesus,
John Michael Talbot
Founder and General Minister
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage