Mar

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Signs & Wonders

March 3, 2008 |

What if we ask and do not receive?

What if we pray to God for a miracle and he does not answer us - in the way that we desire?

In today’s gospel (John 4), the royal official from Capernaum has his pray answered - his son is healed and lives. 

But, sometimes, prayers are not answered - in the way that we desire.  Yesterday’s gospel told us of the blind man that “[n]either he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” 

So, when our prayers are not answered in the face of sick and suffering, is it because God is not listening or is not answering - or is it that he is working it out so that the “works of God might be made visible through him” (i.e. the sick and suffering).

Fr. Dan is the pastor at St. Susanna’s in Mason, Ohio.  He is suffering from ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease.  He was married (his wife passed away) and has several children.  He entered the seminary upon the death of his wife.  He is a wonderful and almost perfect priest.  I belong to a different parish but occasionally slip over to St. Susanna’s at least once a month for weekday Mass. 

And I’ve watched Fr. Dan slip away slowly from month to month.  ALS is a horrid disease.  It leaves you with your mind but destroys your body.  Fr. Dan’s body is failing - his voice is faltering.  His robust nature is fading.

But, he still says Mass.  And there is a beauty and epic nature to his celebration.  Here present in human form is the suffering and passion of Christ.  I would think that I would be off at a hospice or retirement home.  But, Fr. Dan is living out his ministry in the most personal of ways.  He is the face of Christ to his congregation in ways that should make all shepherds stand up and notice.  The depth of his love for his flock is shown everytime he shuffles from his wheelchair to the altar.

And I know that his parishoners are praying for him.  They are praying for a miracle - that he be cured.  But, what if the “works of God [are being] made visible through him[?]“  What if God intends for Fr. Dan to go through what he is going through so that his works can be made visible to his people?  

I always have a hard time praying for the sick and suffering.  When do we pray for a miracle?  When do we just pray for God’s will to be done?  I happen to believe that God sometimes just wants us to show we care - and if we do, he will grant what we ask. 

Other times, I believe he allows sickness and suffering so that his works will be made visible.  Afterall, can you think of any greater love or devotion than that shown by Fr. Dan everytime he is at the altar? 

I pray that Fr. Dan will recover.  But, I know enough about ALS to know that he probably will not.  So, I will also pray that God’s will be done and that Fr. Dan will continue to do our Father’s will.  And I know he will.

And I find that I am growing more in my faith by watching Fr. Dan than I could ever hope to by listening to St. Augustine or St. Thomas Aquinas.  I am learning about love, mercy and salvation simply by watching this incredible man summon the strength and courage that can only come through a deep and unshakable faith and devotion to our Lord.

God’s work is being made visible through Fr. Dan - just as Christ fortold.  


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