The day the "monster from the skies" hit.
It was raining in Waco, Texas, a bustling commercial center, ideally located exactly half way between Dallas to the north and Austin to the south. Heavy rains slammed down out of clouds so thick lights were needed in order to see. As one observer (Henry Gillett) noted, "It has gotten so dark that it is practically night...." Hailstones the size of half dollars ---soon increased to the size of baseballs--- were causing damage all across the city.
Then the monster descended from the skies.
The business day was coming to a close when, at 4:32 p.m. an F5 tornado entered the city limits. There had been no warning. The general belief, at the time, was that tornados did not strike Waco. In fact, that belief could the traced back to the time when the Huaco Indian tribe had occupied the area.
The monster devastated the city. The section of town where the poor people lived was flattened. But, sadly, as horrible as that was, it doesn't take an F5 tornado to hurt the poor. And this monster didn't care whom it hurt. Throughout the city, homes and schools collapsed. It went on to take down most of downtown, as well.
It was the most destructive tornado in Texas history, and is still considered one of the most destructive in U.S. history. Over 100 people were killed and almost 600 were injured. In 1953 dollars, the extent of destruction was pegged between $20 and $50 million ... about half a $Billion in today's money.
And that brings me to this week's Lectionary scriptures, particularly Acts 7 and Psalm 31. They both deal with devastations.
Like Psalm 22, Psalm 31 is one of those from which Jesus quoted on the cross ("Into your hand I commit my spirit."). Jump out of here and read the whole thing. It's all about how we respond to the F5s that slam into our lives. And, of course, the Acts passage chronicles the death of Stephen, the first christian martyr. Sure, there was "stormy weather" going on at the time, but I doubt Stephen saw the "tornado" headed his way.
In any case, there is little we can do when struck by monstrous devastation but hope to survive it ... and to place ourselves in God's hands. At a time like that, what (and in whom) we believe is paramount.
In 1953, Frankie Laine sang,
"I believe above the storm the smallest prayer
Will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word."
And he was right.
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The first time I heard I BELIEVE, it was by The Lettermen and it was performed A cappella. It had a big impact on me. This version is not a great recording, but maybe you can use your imagination :-) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=waDOJHNofGo
Frankie Laine and "I Believe" are here:
http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/frankie_laine/i_believe.html
Read all about "the monster from the skies" at:
https://blogs.baylor.edu/texascollection/2012/05/08/the-most-horrible-storm-a-firsthand-account-of-the-1953-waco-tornado/
Photos and more of the Waco tornado:
http://www.ustornadoes.com/2013/05/11/may-11-1953-waco-f5-monster-from-the-skies/
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 14, 2017)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu
First reading
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Second reading
1 Peter 2:2-10
Gospel
John 14:1-14
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Join us Friday morning for Lectionary Breakfast. It's an unusual name, to some. But it's an unusually powerful time for those who attend. Hope to see you there. Egg and I restaurant, 8:00 to 9:00.
Blessings,
Steve
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