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| Mint ready for the Derby |
Whoever eats
my Flesh and
drinks my Blood
has
eternal life ,
and
I will raise him on the last day .
For my Flesh istrue food ,
and
my Blood is true
drink.
Whoevereats
my Flesh and
drinks my Blood
remains in meand
I in him.
For my Flesh is
Whoever
remains in me
I have written much on this passage already during the past
two years. You can find them in May
of last year and April
the year before.
Likewise eating the Body of Christ and drinking His Blood are
substantial nourishment for me.
I work in a friendly, secular environment. I am responsible in
the VA hospital for the spiritual care of Veteran’s and their families listed
as Catholic. I meet many devout, practicing Catholics; but most of the patients
listed as Catholic no longer attend church. Many quit attending even during the
high school years. Some never attempted to connect with a parish after they
settled in a new neighborhood. Some discovered love in alcohol and drugs, which
have left them wasted. A few have joined Protestant denominations but prefer to
be listed as Catholic. (Why I do not know.) More than a few say they don’t
believe in “organized religion.” And some call themselves atheists. One
fellow told me is an atheist like Steve Jobs.
HCE is the rule for Catholics: “Here Comes Everybody.”
When I make a “cold call” on a new patient, I never know
what to expect. Will I meet a devout Catholic or an indifferent one? Will he be
hostile or friendly? Will his family want my attention or prefer that I ignore
them? Much depends upon the first impression that I make, or they make on me;
and it doesn’t always go well. In every case I am sure this Veteran didn’t come
to the hospital to see the chaplain.
So each day, in my personal prayer, in the Liturgy of the
Hours and especially during the Mass, I must “put on the armor of Christ .”
(Ephesians 6:11) It may look to others like a Roman
collar; but to me it is a spirit of neighborliness, concern, fearlessness and
hospitality. Entering the Veteran’s room, I hide my anxiety with a touch of wry
humor, “Welcome to our hospital.”
Each day, I eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus .
Fortified, I am ready to be a priest and Christian ,
Christ to the Veteran.
Thank you for your words and pics. Years ago wife and I took the Eucharist to a local nursing home( a faint comparison to what you do). It wasn't the cleanest. Moaning could be heard in the hallways. People would be sitting in their rooms talking out loud to no one in particular. We had our "favorites" and, well... Anyway, it takes a special person to do what you do on a regular basis. I'm sure you have good days and bad days. I' m also sure that you get the importance of what a Chaplain represents. It also
ReplyDeleteis encouraging to see a priest's love for the banquet table. What a profound example of the collar. May God continue to bless you and your work, and the work of all Chaplains. And, may your hat still fit after all the nice words.
encouraging to hear a priest talk about his love for
I take communion to patients at Jewish Hospital. I start off with, "Your name is on the Catholic patient list." I check for a reaction. Why would you list Catholic if you didn't suspect that someone would call on you while you're there???? I too get a variety of responses from "blinded deer in the headlights" to pure joy and relief. The experience stretches and encourages and strengthens my own faith. It is an honor to bring the Most Blessed Sacrament to people in such a situation - whatever it maybe.
ReplyDeleteFr. Ken is apparent that you love the Eucharist. Thus your priesthood is a light to all who will look and see. I like the scripture from Ephesians too, putting on the armor of Christ. When I go to school, 98% of the time I remember to put on my simple Tau. Because I follow the footsteps of St. Francis who leads us to Jesus.