Many families experience great frustrations maneuvering around a broken health care system. Some patients can't even die at home as they wish. This New York Times article illustrates the need for patient centered and family oriented reforms. It also points to the need for charitable Case Managers who can assists patients and their families around the system with insight and compassion. (Go to Article)
The body collectors of those who have died of Ebola in Liberia are doing sacred service for their community. Their work is immensly dangerous - and courageous. Nurith Aizenman of NPR news describes their painstaking process of donning layers of protective gear. "They unfurl white plastic jumpsuits and pull them on. Next come face masks and goggles. They tape their sleeves shut with meticulous care and check each other for exposed skin. Their life depends on getting this right." Then they all gather in a circle, touch hands and pray: "God our father, ... may you be the protector. We will take the precautionary measures, but may you seal us with your holy spirit and with your angels." It seems to me that this is a good prayer for any of us going out for our day's work. And as I echo this prayer today, I remember with deep respect those who daily serve the dying, their families and especially the people of West Africa.
I preached in Waterford Conneticut this weekend for my Presbyterian colleague Rev. Anne Fuhrmeister. In the bulletin, Anne published this wonder reflection on Fasting and Feasting for Lent.
You are invited, in this Lenten season, to fast from things that do not encourage the life of the spirit, and to feast by joyfully giving, and by participating in God’s grace and power in the world. As we do so, may we nurture our relationship with God and with each other. What can we do?
Simplify one dinner per week for your family, or two or three lunches for yourself, serving rice and beans or something similar, and pray for the many people in this world who would be grateful to have that much.
Give up a daily habit – buying coffee at your favorite coffee place, eating dessert, smoking, that extra hour of TV – and contribute the money, time, and effort saved to the community of Christ.
Simplify your life, reflecting on the difference between what you want and what you truly need. Give away items that you do not need, but that others can use.
“Fast from the fast-paced world:” create quiet time in your day by turning off your computer, tablet, and phone for an hour or two, or by keeping devices turned off early in the morning and in the evenings. Use the time saved for prayer, sacred reading, writing, or conversation about the things that matter. Take up (once again?) the practice of bedtime prayer.
Resolve to take a small step of love every day – giving a smile, a word of encouragement, a moment of attention, a helping hand. Ask yourself, “What did I do today that reflected the kingdom of heaven?
What gifts has God given you? Offer your talent and time to the church in a way you never have before.
Participate in our congregation’s Second Mile Giving every week during Lent, reflecting on the abundance of your own life and your deep gratitude to God. In this way, we share together in being Christ’s own beloved disciples in our communities and world.
Five, ten, or twenty dollars a week from each of us would make a real difference to the work and ministry of our congregation.
May our Lenten fast truly become a spiritual feast
of generosity and new life.
We are all so proud of Inocente Izucar for the Documentary film about her life that won the Academy Award this year. The movie records her tenacity while living on the street with her family, creative expression of art and our community that has embraced her. Here she is with Cindy in Little Italy
