Holy Father's General Intention for January 2012

(December 31.12.2011) That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives.
Pope Benedict XVI in his general intention for the month of January asks us to pray for the victims of natural disaster. We know that God is Love and at the same time we see the beautiful world he created is subject to natural disasters like droughts, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. We may not understand why our loving God allows natural disasters, but we do know how we are called to respond—with love. Perhaps we are simply incapable of understanding God's reasons. Through the Prophet Isaiah, God said: "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts". We lack full understanding, but we can use natural disasters as an opportunity to live out our faith in a loving God. The Pope has always shown his closeness to those who have been the victims of natural disasters. In one of his messages to the victims of such disaster the Pontiff had said: "I would like to assure the people of my closeness in concern and prayer. May God, in his goodness, take pity on his people and hear the voices of those who call him and implore his aid.” We pray with the Holy Father this month that victims of natural disasters may receive what they need to recover. Each natural disaster is an opportunity for us to pray, to work, and to give generously to help disaster victims rebuild their lives.