Since I wrote to you last Monday so much has happened… I have no words.

A phone call Tuesday night from a friend who was told to evacuate prompted me to turn on the news.

Fire.

Homes burning.

Evacuations.

On Wednesday a text from my aunt let me know my uncle is “actively dying” and to come. I drove to be with my uncle and family in Sylmar with a huge plume of smoke in front of me. There was another huge plume of smoke towards the Santa Monica Mountains to my right. All the signals were dark because the power was out.

It was so eerie.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were days filled with emotion as I watched the fires on the news, so concerned about friends who were evacuated.

I was also spending time with my uncle and family.

I felt guilty because I have power and a home.

I felt helpless, wanting to do something for people who have lost everything, and for my uncle and his family.

Today I read this coming Sunday’s readings and prayed, asking God to give me words to write to you.

Through the words of the Second Reading, I could feel God’s reassurance and hear His answer to the feeling of helplessness.

God is with us. He has filled us with His Holy Spirit. He has given each of us gifts to use to benefit others.

Let’s read this reading, pray for all who are suffering, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in making a difference by using the gifts He has given us:

Brothers and sisters:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;
to another, the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
to another, faith by the same Spirit;
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another, mighty deeds;
to another, prophecy;
to another, discernment of spirits;
to another, varieties of tongues;
to another, interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Be a blessing!