New Orleans and Detroit

With New Orleans still grappling to overcome the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and Detroit struggling to overcome the impact of the economic crises in the automobile industry, these cities must empower themselves through the faith of the ages, but it is also the solemn duty of our nation, as a whole, to come to their aid, like we may do for a parent, sibling or cousin who is down on his or her luck. In our bigger family of states, cities, towns, and countrysides, we must also come to the aid of each other if we are to survive together as a nation. So the next time you get ready to buy a new car, think of the problems of Detroit and consider buying an American car instead of a foreign car, as much of the economy of our nation, outside of Detroit, is tied to the success of the auto industry.

As for the faith of the ages that was mentioned above, this came to mind as we remembered yesterday's Feast of Saint Mark, the writer of the 2nd gospel of the New Testament, though actually the first gospel written. So we read some passages from "Mark" in honor of his day, and came upon Jesus's raising of the girl from the dead and the woman who was healed by touching His cloak.

A woman who was distraught because of her long illness became aware that Jesus was in the area and managed to get close to the Great Teacher, and touched His cloak as He walked by, as she thought just by touching His clothes, she would be healed. After touching His cloak, the woman was immediately healed, and Jesus asked, after realizing that power had passed from Him, "who touched my cloak?" His disciples were amused at the question since there were so many people around, but the woman, trembling, came up and fell at His feet, admitting everything. Jesus told her that her faith had healed her and to go in peace, and be freed from suffering.

Later that same day, Jesus accompanied a man to his home, as the man and his family was frantic in trying to save his young daughter from some condition that left her near death, and he appealed to Jesus to help her, though by the time they arrived, the girl was dead. The family was stricken with grief, but Jesus consoled them and told them not to worry, and He said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!," and the girl immediately stood up and walked around. Jesus told the family to give her something to eat.

These stories brought to memory the first Bible that the chairman ever remembered, a huge and heavy Bible owned by his mother when he was a young child. Going through the pages as a child, he particularly remembered the artistic portrait of the incident of the woman touching the cloak of Jesus. This was probably the most memorable of portraits in that Bible, especially, since it was associated with the gospel from which he is the namesake of the writer.

Through these passages in "Mark" about the life of Jesus, we learn never to give up hope no matter how devastating the circumstances may be. Take heed, New Orleans and Detroit.

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