Waiting to hear the doctor's Report

Waiting to hear the doctor’s Report

Will the news greet you with hope or bring a fear that you must find courage to bear?  This occurs daily across the world and touches the poor and the rich equally.  Perhaps we need to examine the image of strength that comes in different levels.  Each one brings an opinion that is acceptable or refuses to believe its reality.  Most of us have learned that somehow disappointments can become news-breakers in every life and it will require faith to find the grace of God to understand our own weakness of doubt.  

Thirty years ago I experienced what most men will encounter as the prostate organ begins to grow at around 50 years of age.  The possibility that only one out of eleven will have cancer.  At least that was the statistics 30 years ago.  The news I was waiting to hear from the doctor’s office was, “you have cancer.”  The news didn’t surprise me since my father experienced cancer in different organs and eventually passed away when the cancer metastasized to his brain.  However, God wasn;t calling me home yet, and I have been cancer-free for these 30 years.  

As a deacon most of my classmates have passed away and I am still functioning by my writing.  Heart problems, dementia, and other issues were responsible for their deaths.  The essence of God’s calling any one of us to ministry and then we are called home is not our decision, but it is how we conduct our time evangelizing as best that we are able that makes our ministry successful.  Joe Pace, our eldest candidate, was chosen as the reason Pittsburgh had a diaconate program.  As a young man, an African American, was rejected by Pittsburgh to enter a seminary to the priesthood.  Our Bishop, Vincent Leonard, wanted to correct this and began our program.  I drove Joe to our classes and returned him home.  Joe was already over the accepted age but the bishop ignored that.  Consequently, we were ordained June 8, 1974 and Joe passed away in December the same year.  He had cancer of the lungs.  In all of these set-backs Joe still fulfilled his diaconal ministry by the acceptance of Holy Orders.  

The point I am making is that no matter what position in life we are called to fulfill, God is the originator of choosing those who will do his will; for many years or even a day.  Joe accomplished that.

There are others that may not enter into a program out of fear that they may not be able to complete the requirements of study and expectations required of them.  We must never allow the probability that unknown corruptables could deter our expectations.  If we are called, do not surmise that we aren't capable of the expectations because of a deep problem we cannot see.  Joe had a terrible deep cough from the moment I knew him and my guess is the cancer may already have begun to grow in his lungs.  His wife, Ruth, was also a positive partner and was elated the bishop thought enough of him to make right a wrong that was promoted.

We might all see or hear of possibilities that could change the events of people because of whom God is calling to ministry.  It is a component that will have positive effects on one or more persons who in their ministry will have success in reaching more souls for Christ; for one day or a lifetime.  

Ralph B. Hathaway