As a child I was fascinated with human biology, the fact that one body could do so many functions all at the same time… it never ceases to amaze me!
As I grew up in a regular Indian household, I wished to be a doctor and heal people. The concept of being able to make someone feel relief from their pain gave me a rush of adrenaline!
As I write this reflection, I have received wishes from friends, family and of course nurses and old patients as July 1st is celebrated as Doctors day in India! I am filled with immense satisfaction and joy that I was part of making someone feel happy, have babies or even get through the ordeal of childbirth.
Todays reading had Jesus act like a doctor , a healer ;
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
Yes, as a daily routine, once a patient is diagnosed with a problem or routine pregnancy, we do tell the patient to “get up and go home ” but along with a list of instructions. Most of which are not adhered to, but as the doctor I still keep repeating myself every opportunity I get. While some patients do follow up for their reports or to keep in touch for any untoward signs or because they had a bad experience during earlier pregnancies, there are some who just never return… these are what we call “lost to follow up” however they may directly turn up in intense pain in active labor making it more complicated than earlier, but , we put in our best efforts and ensure the best outcome of mother and child.
Our prayer life is so similar, while Jesus is the doctor who instructs us through the Bible about how to manage our life, and keeps repeating the same through the priest at Mass or the reflections on this website.. we may listen and read the same and show up out of fear of burning in hell or the need to get to heaven being the ultimate end goal.
Most of us have been “lost to follow up ” and come to God only when we are in excruciating pain or agony in our lives caused by illness, other humans or personal addictions and it is very difficult to manage but God is the ultimate healer and he always ensures we get through it all..
It is very hard to stick to instructions either by the doctor or by Jesus, but we can always try. Maybe promise our selves a little more time in prayer every morning or a daily rosary ( my own intention) or even reading and reflecting on the scripture and enacting the same in our regular lives.
Let us not be lost to follow up again but be routine followers of Jesus Christ and His teachings everyday for the rest of our lives.
PRESCRIPTION FOR PRAYER FOR REST OF LIFE :
Rx
TABLET OF PRAYER 1-1-1 X daily
SYRUP OF ROSARY ONCE A DAY AT NIGHT x DAILY
INJECTION OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION x ONCE A WEEK MINIMUM (SUNDAYS)
Dr Analise D Mello
1 July 2020
P.S : pray for all the doctors who you ever encountered in your life, good or bad, and especially those battling covid 19 at the frontlines!
