When Anxious and Weary by Wagner Francis;

Author:Wagner, Francis;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CareNotes

Gerilyn H. Leibfarth has served as the Director of Religious Education since 1993 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Findlay, Ohio. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the University of Dayton.

Chapter IV

How the Saints Help Us Through Hardship

By Silas Henderson

Sickness and physical disability, emotional and psychological illness, and death are all parts of the human experience. Yet, even while we are in the midst of such trials, God’s grace remains with us. As St. Paul says, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Still, while our heads may reassure us of God’s presence through our darkest moments, our hearts are often overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and sadness, among other things. These very real feelings can challenge our faith and ability to hope. Sometimes these feelings can be so consuming that we can give up hoping at all, doubting even God’s presence and love.

Working your way through

Some years ago, I met Mary, a patient in a large urban hospital where I was working as a chaplain. Mary had been in the hospital for several weeks and was facing a broad assortment of painful and complicated health issues. Before her illness, Mary had been very active in her parish and had even been involved in her parish’s ministry to the sick and shut-ins. Without a family of her own, her parish had become her family.

They contemplate God, praise him, and constantly care for

those whom they have left on earth. . . .

Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan.

We can and should ask them to intercede for us

and for the whole world.

—Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2683

Now, after a long time in the hospital, she was sinking into despair. Her anguish was not brought on by the severity of her illness, but rather because she believed she had been forgotten by her church and by God. On my first day with Mary, I listened as she tried to put her feelings of sadness and isolation into words.

As time passed, I and other chaplains and hospital staff members became Mary’s community. Our visits gave her something to look forward to. We were recognizing that she was there, and we were investing in her, sharing her burden with her. This was a powerful reminder for me that we are all called to bear one another’s burdens and bring God’s grace and peace to one another.

The communion of saints. In our Christian tradition, this is beautifully expressed in the communion of saints, the community of believers, past and present, united in Christ. This belief makes us aware that we are not only responsible for one another, but we are one with each other.

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