After 2 coronary heart bypasses and partial blindness and life in a wheelchair, the words of this poem by MERRIT MALLOY really capture my spirituality and hope:

“When I die

Give what’s left of me away

To children

And old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,

Cry for your brother

Walking the street beside you

And when you need me,

Put your arms

Around anyone

And give to them

What you need to give to me.

I want to leave you something,

Something better

Than words

Or sounds.

Look for me

In the people I’ve known

Or loved,

And if you cannot give me away,

At least let me live in your eyes

And not on your mind.

You can love me most

By letting

Hands touch hands

By letting

Bodies touch bodies

And by letting go

Of children

That need to be free.

Love doesn’t die,

People do.

So, when all that’s left of me

Is love,

Give me away”

― Merrit Malloy

 God Heals through hands-on love. Ministering as a chaplain in a local hospital I was privileged to bring the sacraments to a young man who was shot five times (three in the stomach and one in each arm). There was little hope. His elderly parents stayed by his side, morning, noon, and night. They prayed with simplicity and love. After multiple surgeries, he woke up from a coma. It was a slow awakening not like in the movies. After many weeks with his committed parents by his side, he sat up in bed and was able to drink water. Eventually, he went home. His true loving parents were always by his side. His girlfriend received a lengthy jail sentence.

 CUERPO DE CRISTO   CORPUS CHRISTI    Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives