A few days after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, as communication lines were slowly restored, photos and video clips during the storm emerged for all to see. Literally “wiping off the planet” is what this terrifying typhoon did to places such as Surigao City and Kabankalan in Negros, the islands of Dinagat and Siargao, to historical towns in Bohol and business districts in Cebu. Roads to rivers were littered with the destruction of a supertyphoon and on each passing day, the toll of the missing, injured, and dead is rising. Latest data showed at least 400,000 citizens displaced by this calamity.
Together with the call for volunteerism and assistance in whatever form, such as financial relief and in-kind donations for food, clothing, and necessities, the Catholic Church is calling on all the faithful for a two-day “National Days of Prayer and Mourning” for the victims of Typhoon Odette on Dec. 25 to 26. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) early this week called on all the dioceses to dedicate the two days to pray for the recovery of the communities affected by the typhoon.
CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said in a statement that the “Alay Kapwa Solidarity Fund” will be used for the Church’s collective emergency response. “We encourage everyone to remit all collections to Caritas Philippines that will then plan and implement our overall response,” David said. “May this season of giving offer us more opportunities to do consistent acts of ‘alay kapwa’ (offering of oneself).”
Aside from prayer, David encouraged Catholics to reconsider “lavish and extravagant” Christmas parties and instead donate whatever they can to help the typhoon victims. “Perhaps instead of spending on a lot of lavish Christmas parties and exchanging gifts, we can put together whatever we can and contribute to relief operations.”
Also praying for the survivors and victims of Typhoon Odette is Pope Francis, who said, “I express my closeness to the population of the Philippines, struck by a strong typhoon that has caused many deaths and destroyed so many homes. May the ‘Santo Niño’ bring consolation and hope to the families of those most affected.” The Pope ended the message with a hashtag: “#PrayTogether.”
It is in this spirit that the citizens of this country must pray together for a common purpose and a singular goal – the recovery of the missing, the healing of the sick, and to bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones, and those whose livelihoods, properties, or homes were wrecked by the howling winds and mighty rains of a strong typhoon.
We must not also forget to pray for the strength and safety of those who are still working, even during the holiday break, such as the linemen who are racing 24/7 to restore electricity, to the members of the military and police keeping order in various parts of the land, and to each and every volunteer in repacking sites and those who have lifted a relief pack and handed this "lifeline" over to a family who needs it the most.
On the day before Christmas, it would be appropriate to reflect on the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” May the Lord, with our fervent prayers, heal our ravaged land and heal the broken hopes of the weary.