St. Peter Claver Catholic Church

Cancer. Death of a parent. Hope. Glory of God.

At yesterday’s Confirmation, Year One Session, we talked about the Sacraments of Healing, one being Reconciliation and the other Anointing of the Sick.

A youth shared about receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick when they were a child diagnosed with cancer. They are cancer free and know that God’s glory is in their healing.

Another youth shared about knowing that one of their parents received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick before they died. They were little and don’t remember specifics, but know it happened.

I too shared about receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick myself.  

Seeing these youth, working with them for the past several months,
I had no idea of the difficult things they have gone through,
and I know they had no idea of the difficult things I have gone through.

The thing we have in common is God’s presence in our healing.

The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:3-4

In this coming Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is told that His good friend Lazarus is ill. Look at Jesus’ response in the verses above.

As difficult as illness and death can be, that is not where it remains when we bring our faith in Jesus into it.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick brings hope and peace.

I saw God’s glory right in front of me last night in those two youth’s faces as they shared their stories.
What a blessed moment!

Blessings of hope and God’s glory!