Dear Friends,
As we witness the wildfires sweeping through Southern California, we are confronted with images that challenge our sense of security and stir our deepest emotions. Flames consume vast landscapes, leaving devastation in their wake. We see the faces of those who have lost everything — their homes, their livelihoods, even their loved ones. Once-secure lives are now displaced, transformed into stories of survival and endurance. Some of the most luxurious homes in America, including those of well-known celebrities, lie in ashes. These images serve as a stark reminder: the forces of nature respect neither wealth nor fame. In the face of such power, we are all vulnerable.
Among these heartbreaking scenes is one captured on the website of Corpus Christi Church. A once-beautiful building now stands silhouetted against a fiery, smoke-filled sky. The caption reads, “I have no words. Our beautiful church in Pacific Palisades, as of this morning.” Similarly, the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, a cherished community landmark for over a century, has been reduced to ashes.
Yet, even in profound loss, their leaders pledge to carry on their sacred work. That resolve — to rebuild and persevere — is the embodiment of resilience.
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles addressed the question of why God "allows evil things to happen," acknowledging that "there is no easy answer."
