As a priest, when I do the anointing of the sick, there is one thing I noticed. When it is the son or daughter that is sick, the parents suffer more. “Lord, take the pain or the sickness away from my child and give it to me.” Hence, when a child is sick or in pain, the parents will do everything and anything for their child.
In the Gospel of John, we hear of a father, a royal official, who approached Jesus to ask for healing. One thing admirable about the royal official is his trust in the Lord Jesus. When the Lord said “Your son will live,” the royal official knew indeed that his son will live.
That is why in talking about TRUSTING GOD, three things we can do every day of our life:
- All the things that happen to us, there is a reason and a purpose. Perhaps when it is happening we do not understand it. The best prayer is “Lord, I give up, you know what is best.” May we never forget that God is good.
- God is bigger than anything we face today. In fact, the Bible tells us that we won’t be tested beyond our means. So be strong. With God, nothing is impossible.
- Thanking and praising God in times of trials. Nothing is permanent in life: sometimes we are up and sometimes we are down; sometimes it is quiet, and at times it is a storm. Either way, God is God. He is constant.
In closing let me share with you a prayer to St. Philip Neri, the patron saint of joy. This prayer, you will find at his image at the adoration chapel.
O holy Saint Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, you who trusted Scripture’s promise that the Lord is always at hand and that we need not have anxiety about anything, in your compassion heal our worries and sorrows and lift the burdens from our hearts.
We come to you as one whose heart swells with abundant love for God and all creation. Bear us, we pray, especially in this need (make your request here). Keep us safe through your loving intercession, and may the joy of the Holy Spirit which filled your heart, Saint Philip, transform our lives and bring us peace.
Amen.
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 