Mom went to the doctor last week because she wasn’t feeling well. She got some antibiotics to clear up an infection, but the doctor also said she found an aortic aneurysm that was causing her concern. She set up an appointment with a surgeon specializing in this type of condition and told her to be sure a family member went to the appointment with her. The doctor was not very forthcoming about any other information other than to say Mom’s age would work against her if surgery became necessary. When one hears news like this, it sometimes leads to all sorts of conjecture and worry.
After Mass on Sunday, I told Father Brandon that I was going to have to take Mom to see the surgeon on Tuesday and that we were very worried about the outcome. He suggested we come to the office before the appointment and he would administer the blessing of the sick.
We did as he suggested and got to his office about 1:30 this afternoon. He began the Sacrament, and as he was praying the words, my thoughts were joined with them as I repeated to myself, “Dear Jesus, I know you can heal Mom with a thought—please do what You think is best for the plan the Father has for her.” As soon as I said that prayer, I KNEW that whatever we found out at the doctor’s office would be the will of God, and I felt at total peace. I mean TOTAL confidence in Jesus and peace. I have never felt more peaceful and comfortable about the future in my life.
When we saw the doctor, he told Mom that there was nothing to be concerned about. The aneurysm was nowhere near large enough to worry about. He said that he would like to keep an eye on it, with visits every 6 months, but that he didn’t see any reason for concern at this point.
Mom and I both thanked God, then the doctor for giving us some very good and comforting news. It occurred to me that Mom had walked into the doctor’s office looking sullen and worried, and walked out like she didn’t even need the walker! Her demeanor was a total opposite of what it was just one hour earlier! I know that it was the prayers of many good friends and relatives the past couple of days that led Jesus to get Mom through this rough patch.
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A meditation on Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word
Love should bind a mother to her baby, but it is a sad fact though, that there are times when there is no bond, no tenderness, no love. Some mothers are forgetful of the child of their womb, as evidenced by the many abandoned and neglected—or worse, slaughtered—children in the world. For some mothers, it seems that the attractions of the flesh and the world are just too much.
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
(Isaiah 49:15)
The prophet gives us the word of the Lord, "I will never forget you." What a wonderful message this is! Even though we can forget and break what should be the strongest of human bonds, God will never break His bond with us! There is nothing in all of creation that can take God's attention from us and make Him forget. No matter what we do, no matter how far, or how fast, we try to run away from Him, His love is always there.
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