CALMLY WAIT FOR GOD

 "WHEN OBSTACLES AND TRIALS SEEM LIKE PRISON WALLS
I DO THE LITTLE I CAN DO
AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD
AND WHEN THERE SEEMS NO CHANCE
NO CHANGE CAN SET ME FREE FROM GRIEF AND UNCERTAINTY
I CALMLY WAIT FOR GOD".
Since December 6th I have had this agonizing uncertainty of how a loved one
will manage pain .
In anticipation of surgery , we went to confession before leaving for
California.
One day, on the Tampa highway on our way to the hospital in Weston, we
stopped to assist at Mass
Thereafter we walked to the priest , introduced ourselves and asked for
anointing of the sick .
Fr Patrick of St Martha's Parish was sort of surprised. We indeed have come
from afar. In front of the altar where the Eucharist, a sacrifice and a
sacrament was made present,, he blessed don with holy oil. We will forever
be grateful.
Oh, for the many memories of being reminded in our youth , that this was
EXTREME UNCTION and to grow up and believe this is THE ANOINTING OF THE
SICK NOT OF THE DYING!
Prior to surgery , I requested the neurologist, a Filipino, if he could
pray with my loved one.
I was advised that in the USA, people don't talk politics and religion.
The neurologist promised to keep him in his heart and m ind and will say a
prayer for him but not with him.
Hmm, this is secularization . That's the practical approach to freedom of
religion ...to living one 's faith. No discussion . Live your faith on
your own .
Tolerance?. Or is it indifference? I reminded him, we chose him because he
is a graduate of a catholic university in the Philippines. and we felt that
he could be the last praying partner before Don is led to surgery. He
smiled. My heart knew better.
Nothing stops one's search for living faith. Experiential faith of decades
will not surrender to a society that upholds freedom in a manner that faith
is to be manifested in the sanctuary. No one will stop me from clinging to
and witnessing that God is our Divine Physician.'
I called the International Services unit of the hospital and requested for a
catholic priest to be with Don before surgery. They passed me on to another
unit and after a long while I was assured they will try to get someone to
pray with him
In the midst of this journey I have learned that there are many twists and
bends.
I got an urgent call advising us that the surgery was upped to 7:30am . We
had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am. My heart knew I was going to see no
priest at the hospital but I entrusted the concern to Jesus of Nazareth and
Mother Mary.
February 19th ..morning dawned.
Don tossed and turned all night. We must have had 2 hours of sleep. Tito
Tony and Tita Laly Sorra, tony and Vilma Jacob, Weng and Jeng .
Don and I walked into the emergency unit of Cleveland Clinic. There was
stillness in our hearts..each beating to different rhythms of faith and hope
and love.
We were led to the admission unit where Don had to submit the living will.
It actually contains medical directions of what to do in case he no longer
is in a position to make decisions about a life lent to him by God.
Thereafter he was led away ..and I knew we had started our union with the
Nazarene. His Via Crucis has started..It was His, because He loves
Don, much more than I can ever love him..much more than all of us can ever
love Don.
Then..another faith experience...a miracle happened...
--
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and
give me renewed hope and cheer" (Psalm 94:19 LB).
--
"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are
passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to
those who have God: God alone is sufficient."
(St. Teresa of Avila)