Noah preached righteousness in the context of a massive flood. So did many preachers in America after the 20-foot-plus 1993 Midwest floods. And they had plenty of material about the human condition to work on in their sermons. Many people sent money; others came to St. Louis from everywhere to help. Some gave up vacation-time to fill sandbags to contain the raging waters.

But during it all the police had to step up boatpatrols near evacuated river-sites. Sight-seers came to the relief sites as spectators, and some of these took refugees' food, partied, and then went home.

A relief-worker was told by a restaurant-owner whose business was flooded: 'Give me your address, and I'll send a check.' He said, 'I don't have one. My house was washed away.' He went on to say, invoking the sturdiness of his German ancestors, 'We still have our health and our faith in the Lord, and we'll start over.'

Pascal wrote about humans being 'the glory and rubbish of the universe...'

Lord God, the raging torrents can take my home and possessions - even loved ones. But they cannot take away my dignity and hope. Help me never to forget that. Amen.