Unfathomable Ways of God

For the past few days, weeks and even months already our country has been experiencing various calamities like typhoons, earthquakes and the devastating pandemic. Worth mentioning are the havoc brought about by typhoon Rolly and Ulysses to properties and even lost lives in many areas in Luzon. With that many are reaching out to our brothers and sisters who are victims of said calamities. For us here in Davao City our very own Mayor Inday Sara Duterte went out of her way to give the city’s financial assistance and sacks of rice in some areas hit by the typhoons. Likewise, the Archdiocese of Davao is accepting cash and check donations from individuals and institutions for the typhoon victims thru bank deposit in its BDO Davao Woodlane Savings Account 010470013680 under the account name, The Roman Catholic Bishop of Davao, Inc. or you may bring your cash or check donation at the finance office of the Archbishop residence located at 247 F. Torres St., Davao City. Through this initiative we can help our fellow men in this sad situation. Let us all do our part to make a difference.

Lately, earthquakes jolted some areas in Mindanao particularly in CARAGA Region. Though, there were damages in structures, thankfully its effects were not that alarming.

On another note, the pandemic that is COVID-19 has claimed many lives not only in our country but in the whole world for almost a year already. Here in our city, the government has intensified its fight against this virus by implementing the need for individuals (moving and entering within the city) and establishments to have a DQRcode. Said code is needed for fast contact tracing in case there will be a victim of Covid-19. Moreover, the government has again implemented the using of the Food and Medicine (FM) Pass to limit the need to go out and do so only for essential purposes. All this measures generated various reactions from Davao City and nearby resident individuals in the region. May we realize that the city imposed these measures to ensure our safety since for the past days Davao City has topped the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Experts says that the pandemic will be here for quite sometime that is why it is hoped that through these efforts, and by following health protocols the cases of this virus will be manageable or eradicated.

With all these calamities and the pandemic many question why it was allowed to happen. Indeed, we cannot fathom the ways of God as the scripture says in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” What we can do is to be there for each other, help in our own little way, follow protocols and lean on God for strength, wisdom and understanding.

Below is a prayer am sharing with you for those affected by the typhoons and flooding in our country by Patricia Zimmermann, author of Prayer is Power:

Father, we pray for the victims of the typhoons in the Philippines that you give them comfort in their dealings with their losses and provide them with all their needs. Provide them food, shelter and all their necessities. Give them healing and take away their fears. Give them the courage to face their losses and give them strength to care for their injured loved ones. Heal the hearts of those who lost their loved ones.

Our Lord Christ, Jesus, the Bible says in the book of Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Today, we know that you are in the midst of us as we pray together to bring relief to those who suffer the most from these natural disasters.

Lord Jesus, we pray that you pray to the Father to send the Holy Spirit to comfort those that are suffering from these natural disasters and it shall come to pass as it says in the Holy Scriptures: John 14:16-17, “[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

Lord Jesus, our Prince of peace, bring peace to the victims and their family and friends. Perform miracles on their behalf that they may find financial aid and all types of relief they need to survive from these natural disasters.

We thank you Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for hearing our prayers.

“There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accident or disaster can destroy such treasures of the heart.” – Daisaku Ikeda