"Bishop of Orlando prays for God’s protection from hurricanes"

I like it when bishops and priests pray for the prevention of natural disaters. It demonstrates an understanding that God has the power to act in the natural order. Take a look at this good example:

Bishop of Orlando Thomas Wenski celebrated a special Mass on Monday asking for God’s protection during hurricane season. “At the beginning of this hurricane season, we turn to God and pray that we will be spared from the ravages of nature this year,” he said in his homily as he urged the faithful to place themselves under God’s dominion and to turn their hearts to the Lord.

... “Like the apostles in that storm tossed boast, in our fear we cry out: ‘Save us, Lord.'"

The bishop emphasized that prayer is neither an excuse for complacency nor “some magical way” to force God to do our bidding. Rather, he said, “prayer brings us to place ourselves under God’s dominion and not the other way around. And recognizing God’s dominion – that he is in fact in charge of our lives – gives us confidence to face whatever challenges that lie before us with confidence and trust in his Divine Providence.

“While we pray that God keep the storms away this year, we, in the very act of prayer, also seek to keep our hearts turned to the Lord whatever may happen. In fact, if our hearts are sufficiently turned to the Lord, then we won’t need any calamities to teach us to keep our priorities straight. If our hearts are turned to the Lord, we won’t need the fury of nature to remind us of the brevity of life, or of the importance of persons over possessions.” (CNA)

Longtime readers might remember, and recent readers should be warned, that I tend to watch hurricane season closely and sometimes post about it. If I had seven lives, one of them might be lived as a meteorologist. But since I don't, other interests come first. Like theology.

Related: "Don't pray to the Rain God - pray to the God of Rain says Archbishop!" (Oct. 24 2007)