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For sure, we can take solace in the readings for tomorrow using;
"In Conversation with God; Lenten readings" by; Francis Fernandez
"Often foster the Hope of Heaven,
especially in difficult moments."
"...St. Bede, commenting on today's passage of the Gospel says that Our Lord, in a loving concession allowed Peter, James and John to enjoy for a very short time the contemplation of the happiness that lasts forever, so as to enable them to bear adversity with greater fortitude.Man's existence is a journey towards Heaven, our dwelling place. It is a journey which is, at times, harsh and laborious because we often have to go against many enemies both inside an outside of ourselves. But God wants to strengthen us with the hope of Heaven, in a special way at the more difficult moments or when the weakness of our condition makes itself more felt.
At the time of temptation think of the love that awaits you in heaven: foster the virtue of hope - this is not a lack of generosity. There, all is repose, joy and delight; all serenity and calm, all peace, splendor and light. It is not a light such as we enjoy now, and which, compared with that light is no more than a lamp placed beside the sun... For there is no night, or twilight, heat or cold, or any change in one's being, but a state which as can be understood only by those who are worthy to possess it. There, there is no old age, or sickness, or anything allied to corruption because it is the place and home of immortal glory..."
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man those things that God has prepared for those who love him."
~ 1 Corinthians 2:9
... In our home, a whole host of biyearly medical appointments for my husband used to be the norm, now they are required quarterly.
Over the course of two weeks, three appointments of huge importance are necessary;
- A visit to the physiotherapy respiralogist for another medical pulmonary assessment, likely finding out when the next resp. bootcamp will be for my hubby to attend.
- A visit to the surgeon in the big city for more considerations and assessment into my hubby's ever changing medical condition.
- Results of a blood gas oxygen test (think needle into wrist moving through delicate small bones working its way not to a vein, but to a main artery, all while trying not to hit a nerve!) last Friday are being used as medical data to determine where to go with the beginnings of oxygen therapy, mostly nocturnal usage for now, but also a small tank for usage to and from the morning work commute. If athletes have discovered the benefits of using hyperbaric chamber oxygen usage, completely appealing for cell rejuvenation, then this is only all good and wonderful for my hubby too.
Next month there are more appointments, one at the respiralogist in charge of my hubby's case, and one for the local medical Internist who is the go between doctor from here to the big city in case of anything emergent, optometrist appointment for checking eyes for diagnosis of the initial damage from BAD pharmaceutical drugs, and the usual continued biweekly resp. physiotherapy in between them all.
Each person's lent is obviously very unique unto themselves, a deep and personal spiritual reflection to be sure, a liturgical season whereby one can observe all forty days from the second we rise up in the morning, until we lay down again by nightfall.
Lent is also a time to often take precious moments to reflect and remember our loved ones and special friends both near and far, those who don't only live their lent during each designated liturgical year season, for they may be in the position where they must walk a very long and difficult road, one requiring full concentration rising from the depths of their being, to gainfully acquire more fortitude in their daily sufferings ... to keep shuffling along one baby step at a time, every single day, all year long. For them, lent never ends....
God Bless You!
Have a wonderful weekend, make every moment count!
Renee
