The waiting - trusting

We received this in the form of a card from the Community of the Lamb over two years ago, when John was suddenly struck with brain cancer while his sister, Susan/Hallel, was a postulant in France.  It just has to be shared today with the story of the paralytic being lowered into the presence of Jesus by his friends as the Gospel today!  Luke5: 17-26.  Talk about a scipture coming to life!  We could see the many people praying for us and trusting in a miracle for John... from the Magnificat - morning prayer..."To the sick, to the sinner, to the sufferer, the time between the promise of release and its fulfillment seems long indeed.  The paralytic and his friends teach each other how to wait: seek the Lord in patient and persevering faith, for he will come without fail to heal and to forgive, no matter how long or how slow the time seems."   The thing about John, for us in his family that shared the journey called cancer/healing with him day and night, was that he was so much at peace!  He knew, without any doubt, that he was surrounded by so many prayers and so much hope in his healing, that no matter how long it took - he trusted that in the end the Lord was in control and "the power of the Lord was with him for healing."  The friends of the paralytic were aware of this, and believed that all they had to do was get him in the Lord's presence, and a healing would happen without a doubt!  "They went up to the roof and lowered him in front of Jesus.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'As for you,your sins are forgiven.'

"What are you thinking in your hearts?  Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk?'  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."  We truly feel that we have witnessed this Gospel come to life in John!  John totally feels that his healing is the result of the many prayers that surrounded him, and lowered him into the presence of the Lord! 

Gus is learning to stand and look out the window... no longer weather to go out in and enjoy... he is enthralled by the out of touch nature out the window.  So much of this time of year is a beautiful reminder of the powerful Advent experience we had with John, as we waited for his healing, and took all the individual steps that we had to in order to get to the point of Christ Rules two years ago!  We were still in the midst of our week of prayer two years ago... talk about his friends lowering him into the presence of the Lord!  Looking back at the list of names in every hour of each day and night... we are so moved to know the power of those times for people.  I look at my hour of prayer in front of him in the sacrament in Adoration each week... so powerful and so deeply moving to sit at his feet and lift up all those in my life to HIM... lowering them into his presence as He stands there with unconditional love and forgiveness... "your sins are forgiven."  That is where we all need the healing that will truly make us healthy from the inside out! 

There is something so wonderful to "see" the eyes of my daughter come to life again in her son!  Life is the most mind-blowing amazing mystery and wonder of the universe!  Jesus, how much joy there is in this season of waiting for you to embrace LIFE, and take on human flesh in order to show us the way to happiness and eternal LIFE with you!  How you love us, and want to spend every minute of our lives with us... surrounding us with your love, and showing us how to trust in your healing and forgiveness, when we are suffering and paralyzed by life's illnesses!  ..."Jesus heals the paralytic because he saw the faith of those who lowered him through the roof.  In their hearts they have seen 'the glory of the Lord,' and that is why they are so eager to make firm knees that are weak and to say to their frightened friend, 'Be strong, fear not!  Here is your God.'  Advent calls us to be such a friend 'for those who have a journey to make.'  see http://www.magnificat.com/  Jesus, may we be friends that trust and share the Way, the Truth, and the Life - YOU - with all those in our lives, especially those in our families.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia!

Bless-bless, Barb

"The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.  They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song... They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.  Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened:  Be strong, fear not!  Here is your God, he comes with vidication; With divine recompense he comes to save you.  Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing." 

Isaiah 35: 1-10  The first reading from mass today from one end of the Catholic world to the other!  So much to take heart in... no matter how long the wait... we know that He is there to heal us and lead us forth into LIFE!