Out of the wisdom of the experience of having lived with cancer, my friend Colleen has written a gentle, compassionate book of suggestions for those who have a friend or family member with cancer.
This well-written book is a valuable resource for those who want to be a caring presence for someone who lives with the reality of a cancer diagnosis.
![Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi (1837-1887) Le Christ dans le désert, 1872 Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kramskoi_Christ_dans_le_d%C3%A9sert.jpg)
Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi (1837-1887)
Le Christ dans le désert, 1872
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Listen deeply. Be empty of pre-conceived notions. Let go of resistance.
Trust the movement of the Spirit.
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan. Mark 1:12
James Tissot (1836-1902)
Guérison des lépreux à Capernaum, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
When I feel out of step with the ways of the world, when I feel like an outsider or an interloper or just a plain oddball, I can re-root myself in the presence of Jesus and be made clean.
Clean of arrogance. Clean of isolation. Clean of comparisons. Clean of judgment. Clean of the need to conform. Clean of the fear of speaking my truth.
Being made clean by the Lord gives me the right to take my place—just as I am—in any company, any society, any situation.
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.” Mark 1:40
Sunset at Capernaum
By Abraham (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Jesus, the Compassion of God, understands our human suffering. Let go of the struggle; bring the illness, the exhaustion, the depletion to him. He is the one who makes sense out of nonsense.
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to [Jesus] all who were ill or possessed by demons. Mark 1:32
Reach out on the World Day of the Sick, February 11. Join people around the world who will stop at 1:00 p.m. to offer a prayer for all those who suffer from illness, and their caregivers.
Resources:
Pope Francesco’s message for the 23rd World Day of the Sick
Prayer cards in English and Spanish
Christ heals the possessed. Jan Luyken. In the Bowyer Bible in Bolton Museum, England. Print 4234. From “An Illustrated Commentary on the Gospel of Mark” by Phillip Medhurst. Section D. Jesus confronts uncleanness. By Phillip Vere [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons
Demons of pain, fatigue, and self-doubt. Demons of resentment, disdain, and indifference. Demons of envy, dissatisfaction, and hopelessness.
Say no, in the name of Jesus. Demons have no power in the light and presence of the Compassion of God.
Jesus rebuked [the unclean spirit] and said,
“Quiet! Come out of him!” Mark 1:25
February 8th, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, is the National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking. Pray for the survivors of human trafficking, their emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. Make a personal commitment to combat this modern-day slavery.
Yes, it’s finally looking like January.
And Saturday’s artwork:
![Fisher Men 3 December 2011 By Venkateshpdy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFisher_Men.jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a>)
Fisher Men
3 December 2011
By Venkateshpdy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Consider the power of a call that changes my heart to feel the fragility, the vulnerability, the desperate need to be loved of the human family.
Consider the power of a call that transforms me into someone who fishes with forgiveness, nonviolence, and compassion as my bait.
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Mark 1:17
![Buisson ardent en mosaïque de la coupole 1 de la nef de la basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde à Marseille By Robert Valette (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buisson_ardent-coupole1.jpg)
Buisson ardent en mosaïque de la coupole 1 de la nef de la basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde à Marseille
By Robert Valette (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Maybe God is always speaking to me. Today I will practice listening more deeply.
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10b
Mary Ann McSweeny 
