"Et lacrimatus est Iesus"
Last night, at around 6 P.M. a tornado of monstrous proportions destroyed Joplin, MO and killed at least 80 people.
At that time, my daughter Clare was studying for her final exams at Mother McAuley High School this week, Conor was cooking fried rice and chicken, I had come home from the Leo Graduation at St. Columbanus Church on East 71st Street and changed out of my suit and into my eating pants and waiting for the Bulls to lose to the Heat.
The clouds bypassed Chicago.
Our house and those of my neighbors are still standing - today.
This morning, I read of the devastation to Joplin, Missouri. Yesterday's Gospel from John recounted the old doubter Thomas:
Thomas said to him,
"Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."
We were told and we forget. Joplin knows. Jesus proved he was Man when he wept for His buddy Lazurus.
