Mixed feeling flooding us today as we woke to discover that our grandson, David Lanoue... 19months is in the hospital with pneumonia. John was very concerned and wanted to run right in there to see his Godson. After talking to Ruth... David's mom... we decided to bring her in lunch at about noon. We arrived just as the anethesialogist came to try to put in his IV for the 6th time! Ruth held him down, and John was able to sit there and take it, but i had to go down to the family room to say some prayers... it was too hard for me to listen to his screams!... Success after two attempts.... he now has an IV in his foot and is getting the fluids that he needs along with the medication.
It was interesting to me to see John there, and how he spoke to Davey about how this hurts, or that hurts, or that he will get over it because it will soon be over... meaning the pain. Yes, John has spent many times in the hospital, and been poked for IVs and blood draws over and over... In a way he knew just what David was going through, but yet he also knew that feeling when it is done and the pain is a ever fainter memory.... I think that for him to be back sitting in a hospital so soon is a bit hard to take... His sister commented on it to him.
Many beautiful moments shared in prayers lifting up our precious little grandson... in the kitchen with David's other grandma and his 3yo sister, Mary. Praying out loud together for him, and sharing a "Hail Mary". Then with Pat and John as we shared morning prayer and each prayed. As we spoke to the girls... David's 3 other Aunties to let them know to be praying... even speaking to LS Hallel in Kansas City. All concerned and all praying.. of that we are comforted and sure! Calling Michigan to speak with my parents, and Pat's mom too here in town...It is so wonderful to have such a supportive and strong prayer network just in the midst of our own family!
Such a powerful day today in our Church... looking to the one who accepts the "cross" to occupy the chair of St Peter... the Pope! John reflecting back to the times that he has had the opportunity to visit Rome and St Peters and see the Chair... not only that but the times that he attended mass with both JP2 and Benedict! As he has been to Rome twice in his young years of life already. It is a crazy generation and the way the world is so small to them... John has been to Guatemala, NewZealand/Australia, Rome twice, and last August to France!
Many times working TEC retreats... together Encounter Christ retreats.... we are struck with how the leaders are truly the servants of all that attend! In that light what was shared about the Pope today in our morning prayers really was a powerful thing to consider. I have heard how huge and terrifying it is to accept the Vicar of Christ - Popeship... for these men when they are elected! It is an agonizing decision, and it is hard to realize the weight of the world that is put upon their shoulders. Fr von Balthasar (1988) wrote:
"Peter is led where he does not wish to go and even the papacy today.... The lowest place, which is where , the servus servorum(pope)must stand, the place of final comtempt and insult, the rubbish-heap on which one is "a worm and no longer a man," this place where no man willingly occupies, is precisely the place where the office... as St Paul says: "For this reason I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with hardships, with persecution and fears for Christ's sake, for if I am weak, then I am strong"(2Cor12:10)... for this is the meaning of the authority of the ministerial office, which is a Christian spiritual power only to be exercised as one undergoes humiliation oneself,.... ultimately means that for them too that they must become weak, that they must be crucified with Christ, that they must share in bearing the guilt of all."
Dear Lord... we should remember every day to pray for the head of our Church... your servant of all servants... Pope Benedict the XVI... His cross in huge as it embraces the whole world and all the many hardships and problems... How hard and huge is his job! Thank you for his prayers and guidance in our lives and the Wisdom of our Church! Jesus we trust in You. Amen Barb... united with the family of prayer!
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