As I wrote a few lines around the last day or so, I omitted saying that I was feeling a bit sick!
I suppose there’s a desire to be up-beat and put the best foot forward but, truth told my stomach was out of sorts yesterday. Not a major news story, the first time it happened or overly serious but I was aware of it. The discomfort visited with a vengeance during the night and sleep almost totally evaded me. I got sick a number of times and my stomach was on fire!! I used share a house with an elderly priest one time in the diocese and when I’d ask him how he was feeling, at times he would reply: “I wouldn’t boast”!! I felt that way during the night.
I have been thinking of people who are sick – some that I’ve heard of since coming on holidays and I have been praying for them. It’s such a worrying time for their families. I have also been very mindful of Fr Tony Coote, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin who, having been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, decided to undertake a walk from Letterkenny to Ballydehob (Co. Cork) to raise funds and awareness of the research being done into this life altering condition. Tony’s walk is, in effect, a push since he is now wheelchair bound and friends and supporters push him as they walk around him and support his courage and determination.
Remembering Tony, I have thought many times of Fr Andrew Finan, Philip Corcoran, Betty O’ Dowd, Frank Kelly, John Crowe and too many others who have died of this condition. I remember too, Andy McGovern (Leitrim) possibly the world’s longest living survivor of MND. Fr Tony passed through our parish last week and I was happy that people in Kilkelly and from the parish in general, turned out to support his travels. An admirable and brave journey. God bless him and all who are sick at this time.
During the night, my own minor setback was an equally minor concern but I was aware of how alone one can feel when sickness visits and reminded of the duty of care we owe those who are feeling unwell. My thoughts then are with those, for whom sickness is not just an infrequent visitor but a constant (and unwelcome) travelling companion and my thoughts are with their families and friends as they rally around them. Thoughts too with medical staff, doctors and nurses as they seek to bring reassurance and healing.
Maybe the prayer that accompanies this thought and, as we remember in prayer all who are sick at this time, is the message sent by Martha and Mary to Jesus when their brother was unwell: “Lord, the man you love is sick.”