For Melody, Anthony, and all who suffer illness.

Recently my younger brother Anthony suffered his fourth major heart attack and doctors installed yet another shunt in a life saving measure. He is nine years my junior-- and only 55. As I returned from a month long retreat, I found out that my friend Jack and his family are dealing with the health crisis of his grandaughter Melody who is but eight years old. Jack has also been dealing with the illness of his only surviving sibling.

Within our families, friends, and aquantnances, there are those who bear the cross of illness. Some have been given a terminal diagnosis, they only have a short time to live. Some have been diagnosed with an illness which will slowly debilitate them, and eventually end their lives. Some are suffering the effects of old age. Some are children, teens, or young adults---all suffering a medical problem and in need of the Lord’s healing. Whatever the illness, ALL should be reminded that "GOD" the Father knows them-- He has counted every hair on their head. He knows their diagnosis, He knows their fears, He knows the concerns of their loved ones.

"GOD" is almighty and omnipotent, and He stands ready to heal whoever comes to Him and asks. Do not be afraid to ask Him to heal. He repeats throughout the Gospels "let it be done for you according to your faith" [St.Mathew 8:13].

Be courageous and be brave, and believe that "GOD" will heal them. It is possible!

"GOD" continues to heal men, women and children just as He did in the day when Jesus walked upon the earth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:

"The Holy Spirit gives to some a special charism of healing so as to make manifest the power of the grace of the risen Lord. But even the most intense prayers do not always obtain the healing of all illnesses. Thus St. Paul must learn from the Lord that "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," and that the sufferings to be endured can mean that "in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his Body, that is, the Church" [no. 1508].

Illness, when not cured, can be turned into a spiritual benefit, not only for the one who is suffering the illness, but for the whole Body of Christ-- [the Church]-- of which the ill person is a member. In a paradoxical way, suffering can acquire a new and different meaning.

In the world that we live in, suffering is seen as the ultimate evil. Yet-- our Holy Father reminded us: "Seeking new and effective ways to alleviate suffering is a valid quest, but suffering nevertheless remains a fundamental fact of human life. In a way it is as deep as man himself and touches upon his very existence [cf. Salvifici Doloris, 3]... In order to discover the fundamental and definitive meaning of suffering-- "we must look to the revelation of divine love, the ultimate source of the meaning of everything that exists" [Salvifici Doloris, 13]. The answer to the question of the meaning of suffering has been "given by God to man in the Cross of Jesus Christ" [ibid., 13]. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, takes on new meaning; it becomes a sharing in the saving work of Jesus Christ [cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1512]" [Message for Tenth World Day of the Sick, 2].

Whatever the suffering-- small or great-- we can unite it with the suffering of Jesus on the cross and it can thus become part of the redemptive work of Christ-- the Redeemer of the World.

Our Holy Father continued: "Do this in memory of me," besides referring to the breaking of bread, [this] also alludes to the body given and poured out by Christ for us [St.Luke 22:19-20], in other words, to the gift of self for others" [Message for Tenth World Day of the Sick, 2/11/02].

If it is in your heart to do so, pray that "GOD" will heal you or your loved one. Storm heaven with your prayers, fasting and penances, asking the Giver of All Good Gifts for healing. His power is as present today as it was when Jesus Christ walked the earth. We must believe that, and have firm faith.

Yet if it is not "GOD'S" will to heal, then we can follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and offer our lives in union with the suffering of Jesus on the cross and help "complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is the church…" [Col 1:24] as St. Paul wrote of his own suffering.

None of us choose to be sick or to suffer. It is a cross which is given to us. There are many stages to accepting that cross. As we move through them at our own pace, we can ask the Lord to help us and unite our sufferings with those of Jesus. Together, as the People of "GOD", we journey toward our homeland where every tear will be wiped away and there will be no more mourning, no more tears, no more suffering-- only life in all its fullness forever!

Tonight I have much to be thankful for. So do you. Throughout illness and good health our Father never forsakes us and his love transcends time immortal. We must face both good times and not so good of times with equal humility and grace. My prayers go out for those among us who are ill--and those in need of assurance. We are all in this stream of eternal life together and we must all share ones sorrows and smiles as equal partners in this great adventure of mortal existance.

Yodi and I sit quietly here in contemplation and wonder as to what will be on the plate tommorow--served up by our one true friend-- "GOD". It is always a surprise--and never more than we can handle.