Pastoral care

Today, I was able to help out at Assunta pastoral care again. This week found me a bit busy - yet even as i drove there, I made it a point to be mindful of what it meant. Otherwise it might have been a routine I rushed through in order to get on with the tasks of the later part of the day.....(nothing too exciting - but looking for a used car for my son to use to get to university has been 'capturing' my attention for a few days).

Again, it was the elderly who left me touched......there was an elderly woman, recovering from an accident, who asked whether God is angry with her - hence the accident. "Maybe I've done something wrong....") The accident actually happened on her way back from visiting a sick relative - so adding to the incomprehensibility of "why - when i was trying to do something good?" Of course i reassured her of our loving and merciful God. But her reaction and doubts gave me an insight of what often goes on unexpressed in the hearts of those who suffer. This reminds me of how important it is to be so rooted and grounded in God's love - that such thoughts need not trouble us when suffering strikes - as it is no respecter of persons. Nouwen calls this 'living under the blessing and not the curse' - living our lives convinced of the giftedness of life - even in the midst of the storms of life.

Another elderly person, a nun shared her attitude to life - 'no need to worry - it won't change anything - live one day at a time - my blood pressure may go down today - then go up again....but no point getting worked up - I've learned to let things be - do what I can and that's enough - just trust God'. As I stepped into her room I felt a welcoming space - the same way i had felt the few times I visited her community house and was introduced to her. Looking at her smiling, kindly, wrinkled and lined faced - I saw one whose continual dedication of her life to God (from a young age) has taken her through the ups and downs of religious life. At her age, there could be much to complain about......or on the other hand be much to be grateful about -and she chose the latter route......I was deeply encouraged, as her attitude was (unknown to her) speaking to my own tendency to 'worry'......

Many faces, many precious experiences that provide raw material for theological reflection - and I came away again with much to be grateful for. Only after I stepped out of that special 'space' did I start thinking about where to go to view the used car......which I did ...but that's a concern for another day...