Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I write this letter I find myself contending with having that pesky flu that seems to be going around right at the moment. I’m lacking energy, I feel all stuffed up, and there’s a little bit of brain fog going on. All of that is to say, bear with me, if this week’s letter isn’t quite up to my
usual standards.
The occasion of being sick is an opportunity for me to take stock of and be grateful for the usual good health I enjoy. As I look forward to turning 40 later this year, I can say with confidence that I’m very blessed in terms of my overall health. I can still play basketball on a regular basis, although I’m not quite as fast or agile as I used to be. I can perform many physical tasks without getting hurt or being too sore afterwards. And outside of the occasional migraine, I have no ongoing medical issues to be worried about at this time. And in that, I realizing more and more, how tremendously fortunate and blessed I am.
Health is something that can very easily be taken for granted. And I think it is also something that can be presumed of those around us. I feel good and can do lots of stuff, therefore I expect the people around me to have a similar experience to that. But as I type this, I know that I’m sick and feeling rundown, unable to do as much as usually can, despite the fact that I don’t particularly look or sound that different than normal. How many people around us are dealing with aches, pains, medical conditions, and other limiting factors in their lives and we’re simply not aware of it? And even if we can observe something that might be medically or physically difficult for a person, do we really understand how it impacts how they go about their everyday lives?
More and more as I get older, I’m coming to realize how precious our personal health is and how much people deal with that goes unseen. And hopefully, I’m learning to be more understanding and compassionate to those around me. Many of us will never fully comprehend how certain things affect those who are dealing with it, but just a recognition that it does have an impact on their daily living is a good start and provides a chance to treat our brothers and sisters with greater care and love.
For those who suffer from ongoing illness, physical limitations, chronic pain, or emotional and mental difficulties, please know that you are cared for and loved, not just by God, but by your brothers and sisters in Christ. You are never alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. And whatever it is that you can and cannot do, you are a cherished member of a parish community, full of dignity and deserving of others respect.
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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