Encouragement

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“Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.” Psalms 16: 1-2

Memories – One word that carries so much of weight in it, a word that offers comfort, consolation, joy and a remembrance of time.

Yesterday as I walked through the corridors of the city hospital, my mind went back to the earlier years when I had spent so much of time here during various confinements.
It seemed like the mountains surrounding this place which had lost none of its charm over the years were still beckoning to me, apparently having recognized my presence. This backdrop had always been a pleasant view to my senses during some difficult days, silently offering me staunch support akin to the power with which they stood.
Not forgetting my precious birds who have unfailing welcomed me the moment I entered this place and joining them now, a flock of birds flying directly overhead like a canopy of protection.

One would normally want to forget memories spent in such a place but it was entirely the reverse with me. These were memories that I would always carry with me and never shut out from my life. It was here that I learnt so much by way of inner strength and courage to combat life and its battles. These memories would be a part of me that I would carry back to my own home country when I eventually leave this place for good in the imminent years to come.

A week ago, in this very place, the doctors had strongly suspected that I had cardiac failure on account of the symptoms I was experiencing and the basic tests results which hinted at the same. I immediately thought about the Holy week and my parish commitments, I wanted to be in one piece to attend all the services. I had pledged to the Lord that I was ready to drink even this cup with joy. All I wanted was to be able to complete my work for the week.
But yesterday after undergoing a complete heart scan, the results came back negative. There was no heart failure and though some earlier issues still persisted for which I would have to continue with my medications, I was spared the crucial sentence.

I consider this as a new life given by the Risen Lord, His Easter blessing! I have always believed that the greatest medicine in life is the Eucharist. When we receive the bread of life, we can actually feel the grace of God spreading through our entire being, touching and healing us.
Just as the woman who suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years was healed with faith by just touching the Lord’s garment, imagine how much more privileged we are to receive the body of Christ right into our hearts where we can touch His heart directly.
Faith can move mountains and if we had faith the size of a mustard seed as the Lord had declared, it was enough for us to perform the greatest feats.

Psalms 16 :5, 7-11 is a beautiful psalms of thanksgiving to the Lord for his boundless mercy; “You are my God. O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness forever.”

May the Risen Lord fill our hearts with a renewed hope and joy so that when we receive His grace, we too can openly proclaim like Mary Magdalene did on that Easter morning; “I have seen the Lord.” He is risen in our hearts where we strengthen our faith with a firm anchor.

As the Easter Season unfolds since we are right now in the octave days of Easter, may we rejoice in the message that it contains, to recognize the Risen Lord in the breaking of bread so that our hearts too will burn with fire at the words of the scriptures as it did in the hearts of the disciples on the walk to Emmaus with the Risen Lord.

Maria Franco

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