top of page

Sickness

Writer's picture: Fr. SeraiahFr. Seraiah

Have you ever, even once, heard someone say (seriously) that he liked being sick? Many tolerate it (some, of course, do not), but I cannot recall ever hearing someone say sickness was genuinely liked. My perspective on this changed years ago, however, when I was visiting someone in the hospital. She had been given a prognosis by the doctors and they told her she only had about a year to live at the most. She said to me, "Why doesn't God just take me now? Just sitting around waiting to die for the next year; what good is that? I'm a waste of a human life at this point."


I was floored by her honesty. She was not bitter, but just confused at what her purpose was. Then, the words came to me like a divine inspiration (and I believe that it was). I said in reply, "Is there anything you have to pray about?" "Yes, of course," she said, "but I don't have time to go into all of it." I did not rebuke her, but I corrected her: "You just told me you have a year that feels like a waste; and you're saying you do not have time to pray? You have an assignment from God to pray for the next year and He just cleared your schedule book. Just think about how much good you can do."


She cried; I cried. We looked at each other with a joyful realization that God always knows what He is doing (whether He informs us about it or not). We prayed briefly right then. I gave her the Sacrament, and then left. I told her as I was going, "You've got a job to do, and I'm going add to it. You pray for me, I'll pray for you". She said, "Thank you Father; thank you", and kissed my hand (in the old traditional manner of thanking God for the grace He gives through a priest).


From that day on, I still cannot say I "like" being sick, but I always know that it gives me more time and encouragement to focus on praying. It makes me think of the quote by Pope John Paul II, "Don't waste your suffering!" I have been praying a lot extra the past few days as I have been sick myself (and I appreciate all the prayers my people have offered up for me). I am getting better, but that is not the only reason for prayer. It is also so that we can open ourselves up to God and allow Him to give us His grace.

16 views

Recent Posts

See All

False Teachers

“The same false teachers who try to dim the luster of conjugal faith and purity do not scruple to do away with the honorable and trusting...

Priests Speaking the Truth

There is a "home blood type test" that you can buy online. It is supposed to give you everything necessary to find out what your blood...

Caring for the Poor

A Catholic friend once told me that only the Democratic Party cares about the poor, and so it was a grave sin for a Catholic to vote for...

Comments


St. George Catholic Church, 1404 E Hines St, Republic, Missouri, Phone:(417) 732-2018, Email Here 

​

Crest of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter
bottom of page