BENEDICTION: DIVINE PRESENCE

It is blessing to realize just how precious
... a few conversations with a person can be,
as well as,
... the power of a friendship
even at the end of someone’s life.

These past two years I have wrestled with the
... Three Great Problems
That we are unable to solve,
... even with the work of a long life,
... with our science, or with our medicines:

Evil, Disease, and Death
.... continue to be our challenge.

Some, as mentioned above (Teresa T), have been given
...The great gift of bringing: Hope to the sick bed.

Hope, the tool, designed for each individual
... the strength to “push-back”,
at least for a while,

so that we might develop an
understanding and the self knowledge
to prepare for our own end to life.

Which is certain.

There is a growing sadness in me
... knowing that a good life is ending.
Yet, for me, the world is in constant communication with us,
... including me.

There is a “presence” in the world,
Visitors, friends, strangers or memories
... some might say: that is holy and sacred.
... others confess that they are constant dialogue with this "presence"
as we live through the events of our day.

A few will sense this
... "presence of the sacred",
especially coming away from
... hospital rooms and the sick beds
where they may have "connected"
with a man or woman at a critical juncture in their lives.

Our purpose or meaning may be
... in the end
Become an instrument, somehow.

We give but at the same time receive
... something very special at death.

Only the Good Things

rv. mr. robert r. lackney, chaplain