True Food
Good Morning, God July 28th, 2009
Dear God,
Up and out early this morning to Lab Corp for blood work – getting this for my annual physical. Then back home for quick breakfast before heading over to Manor Care to help with the delivery of the Eucharist to the “homebound.” This was my first time — I volunteered to help during the summer while lots of the winter parishners are away. Not sure I can do this on a regular basis.
Manor Care is a nursing home but, to me, it looked a lot like a wax museum. Most of the elderly people were sleeping (and almost appeared to be dead – gapping open mouths) or they simply sat staring off into space – dazed, unseeing looks on their faces. The majority of them seemed devoid of all mental, emotional and intellectual processes. It was all very depressing and sad – these patients seemed to be just waiting to die.
One of the parishners we had to see was in the Alzheimer’s area. My trainer tried to offer the Host to the lady but she clearly didn’t understand where she was. She kept saying, “I love this place!” A gentleman sitting next to her seemed to be speaking to a non-existent person in the air. My trainer indicated to me that we would not give the lady the Host because she wasn’t receptive to it because of her condition. A nurse suggested that if it were placed on her lip she would take it so my companion placed it on her lip but she rejected it.
I wondered how this would go because I knew that the Host – the body of Christ — would need to be disposed of according to proper protocol. Next thing I know, we are outside in the landscaped area of the parking lot digging a little hole in order to bury the Body.
Wow – a lot to take in on a Tuesday morning, God. Looking death in the face in the early morning (or any time!!) is definitely not something I am comfortable doing. I am uncertain about my impulse to volunteer. I wasn’t thinking about such dire circumstances when I made that phone call. I don’t mean to be a wimp – after all, somebody needs to serve in this capacity. I am not happy to see this selfishness in myself. I do believe that anyone receiving the Eucharist is blessed and the elderly in nursing homes need Your healing and strength more than most.
I am grateful for people who are willing and able to do the hard jobs that I shirk. I know we all have gifts from You – ways to serve others. What is my gift, God?
“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depts. Of God….We have received….the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.”
photo by: by mike52ad@flickr.com
Doing the hard jobs for God is just that hard work, but it shouldn’t stop us from doing it. We work through it and feel God’s presence knowing that His word reminds us that when we do for the least of these we are doing for God…you are so on the right track. The more we do for others the more we get out of our own stuff. Once again this is a powerful prayer thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on being one to bring the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to the sick. It is truly a worthy service. I was involved in it for over 20 years and got more back then I ever put into it. Just a thought concerning the spoiled host, I don’t know if burrying it was the best option. Normally we would take the host back to the sacristy and melt it in water and then pour it in the special drain in the sarcisty sink.Check with your pastor because this can happen again. What do you think….Again Thank God for people who take the time to serve.
Thanks, Mike for your comments. I did receive further training and apparently the option to bury the Host is ok. The lady I was with did use water to dissolve it before burying. I appreciate your response.
cheryl