When 700,000 tons of rock collapsed on 33 Chilean miners on Aug. 5, mine officials announced that they probably couldnt reach the trapped men until December. The fear gripping those subterranean hearts, as potentially lethal as the physical obstructions delaying release, was beyond our imagining.
But on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 12:01 a.m., a man-made capsule aptly named for the mythic Phoenix began pulling them one by one toward freedom.
As of press time, the whole world continues watching. News websites tick down the hours and minutes in real time. Each man brought up in the capsule is named, described, his reactions captured for all to hear. Joyful tears. Tight, disbelieving embraces of wives and children. The triumph of light over death.
Of course, life will never be the same for these men. Even the most miraculous rescue does not totally negate the suffering that preceded it. Mario Sepulveda, 40, told reporters he spent the last 10 weeks between G-d and the devil . . . But G-d won. The real test is how they endure the nightmares that lurk and the love prepared to comfort.
Regardless of nationality or religion, our prayers are answered and the world unites over a stunning, unqualified good.
Copyright © 2010 by the Intermountain Jewish News
