Palm Cross – Photo copyright 2012 John M. Kingery
Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem (NW Balance)
Theme: We are sent to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God
Tema: Estamos enviado a sanar a los enfermos y anuncia el reino de Dios
Scripture: Luke 10: 1, 9
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Reflection by John Kingery of St. Juan Diego Catholic Church:
A year ago this month, I received a phone call from my sister-in-law Patty in Florida. She and my only brother Billy (William Jr.) had moved there from Canada during the last decade. Billy, a Vietnam veteran, had gone into the hospital. He was independent, honest and hardworking. Still, he did not make enough money to afford health care through his employers.
Preliminary tests by the doctors revealed an aggressive form of cancer. My brother was weak, yet determined. The decision was made to undergo radiation and chemotherapy to stop the advance of the cancer. Billy’s stay in the hospital stretched into May. Patty was overwhelmed by the bills, something she never received in Canada. Thankfully, her son Cory was able to help with the necessary paper work for VA benefits.
Billy was weak, but still had a sense of hope and humor. He had been planning on retiring in November and this was just a bump in the road. Upon receiving his notice of full VA benefits, he remarked, “I wanted to increase my income but not this way”. He was never able to enjoy those benefits. ‘I want to go home, no more grits and no more hospitals.’ – Billy went home on July 4th, 2012.
My big brother believed that no one should be homeless in our country, especially the veterans. His little brother believes that everyone should have access to comprehensive healthcare regardless of the ability to pay.
Last November, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Health is first and foremost a universal good to be guaranteed and defended from becoming a mere “product” subjected to the laws of the market, hence accessible to few.” We have been appointed!
Prayer: We pray for doctors, nurses, staff and all health care providers who provide compassionate care. WE THANK YOU, LORD
Petitions: We pray for the many veterans in our nation who don’t know how to seek adequate health care. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
We pray for those who go bankrupt each year due to the high cost of health care in our country. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
We will work and cry out to our leaders to ensure that health care is truly available to all in our nation. O LORD, WE WANT TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS
LET THE COMMUNITIES OF LIFE TAKE UP THE CROSS
Song: Vengan a la Cruz, Adoremos (repeat as often as desired)