The Tower of Siloam -- James Tissot
[Jesus] asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:2-4
The official death toll from the collapse of a condominium tower in Florida has risen above 90 and the search continues for at least another 20 victims. The investigation to establish how this could have happened continues but in these days the focus is on the sudden and catastrophic loss of life for innocent people. These residents would have been going about everyday life in the supposed safety of their homes and nearly all of them died in the blink of an eye.There are stories of residents who were away overnight and survived, and of a person who had lived in the building for years but had moved to the adjacent building.
We shudder at tragic stories such as these, including the collapse of a construction crane in Kelowna BC which killed five people. Two of the construction workers who died were brothers. Someone in an adjacent building was killed as well. There is something about the sudden end to life which rattles us.
After the condo building crashed down I thought of the gospel story where Jesus uses the example of a tragedy with his disciples to address why bad things happen to good, or just ordinary people. The Tower of Siloam collapsed, killing a very specific 18 people. It seems to be a "breaking news" story. Had those who died done something wrong? Were they worse sinners than others? Jesus says that this sort of "smiting" isn't how it works, but we can all be vigilant and prepared to meet our Maker.
It happens that about a third of those who died were active members of the local Jewish community, including the four Canadians who died.Their deaths has been a blow to this family of faith and the surviving members must be asking "why our friends and loved ones?" Yet this has been the response:
SURFSIDE, Fla., June 30 (Reuters) - Hundreds have gathered every day at The Shul of Bal Harbour, a synagogue near the Florida condominium complex that partially collapsed last week...Other members of Surfside's Jewish community have offered food, water and emotional support to search and rescue teams digging into the rubble of the 12-story Champlain Towers South.
Both responses are rooted in the Jewish faith, a source of hope and of strength to help others cope. "There's no rationality nor level of human intellect that can in any way encompass the enormity of what has happened here in Surfside, but... God has not changed," (Rabbi Sholom Lipskar).
We can pray that the God of mercy will comfort them in the midst of such unfairness and devastating loss. The same for families in Kelowna and all those who experience this sort of pain.
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