The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. — Psalm 98:(see 2)
Mass Readings: 2 Kings 5:14-17 / 2 Timothy 2:8-13 / Luke 17:11-19
“Thank God for the gift of cancer.” So wrote Mother Teresa to my husband who had three months to live. Only a Mother Teresa could get away with a statement like that, so simply stated and to the point. In reality, though, this thought became a consolation. It enabled him to endure his pain and accept his approaching death heroically.
Unlike the 10 lepers in today’s Gospel, my husband was not cured physically. However, he was healed in spirit by uniting his suffering to that of Jesus on the cross. The cancer truly became a gift in disguise.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us humbly accept our sufferings as hidden gifts.