Your Help Is Needed

I covet your help in this moment, wherever in the world you are, whatever your beliefs are, and I beg- BEG- you to join with me, right now, in this second, to pray, to send loving thoughts, to just focus on a scientific miracle- whatever works for you.

Maya's godfather (who is married to Bobby's godmother) is gravely ill.  Last year, as he was pursuing the diaconate program, a routine physical came back with alarming news and, ultimately, he was diagnosed with leukemia.  Months of treatments and a bone marrow treatment later, things looked good and, as the holidays approached, he seemed to be in remission.  We were all so grateful; we looked forward to his possible appearance, if he was up to it, at our annual 3 Kings party.  I remember looking at pictures from our 2011 gathering and smiling at the idea that, once again, this part of our 'family' would be together.  (We are close to all of the godparents of our kids; they were chosen out of an intense feeling of brotherly and sisterly love, and they play a key role in our lives.)

Christmas brought with it a new battle of tiredness and a general feeling of unwell; when the tests came back, our worst fears were confirmed.  The battle wages on, and he is still very sick.  It was a blow to all of us, especially his wife and their 2 children.  When Baby H's godmother (we are all close) called to give me the news, I remember just collapsing in my chair, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of me.  It all looked good... How could this happen?  As I left a message on the parish priest's phone, asking him to remember E in prayers at the upcoming Masses, I felt my throat fill with a lump that I couldn't swallow.

This morning, J (E's wife) called me, asking me to light that special candle and pray...  There is nothing else right now that we can do.  They have been left with options that aren't all that happy: experimental treatment or returning to chemo (which may not work).  Or to do nothing.  Not a placce anyone wants to be, when it is just them.  Really not a place you want to be when you have a wife, a teenage daughter, and a young son.  She asked that we pray for peace in whatever choice they come to, and wisdom to come to that decision.  And, of course, that we pray for a miracle, and that he will be healed and come home to his family.

So, whatever you believe, please, please, take a moment for this intention.  If you are Catholic or Orthodox will you join me in prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?  If you are Protestant, will you lift up E in prayer and ask for Jesus's healing hand on him?  If you are a religious or spiritual person, will you beseach God, Goddess, or your special patrons to watch over E and for healing?  If you aren't religious at all, can you take a moment and send your healing, positive energy E's way?  Anything you do, in this moment, I appreciate, and I know that their family does too.

O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, who said, ask and thee shall receive, I beg that by the ardent flames of love that kindle your heart, hear my prayer. Please give wisdom and peace to E and J, and their family in this trying time and, if it is Your will, heal E of his leukemia. Grant my request of grace and pour your blessings and mercy over me, that I may be made worthy of your Divine Sacred Heart. (pause for a moment to meditate on the itention). Amen.