He Smites only to
Heal
"For he wounds, but
he binds up; he smites,
but his hands heal"
(Job 5:18).
I am a reader of Vachanolsavam
and have attended many retreats given by the Potta team in Bombay. My one
desire is to be one day in Potta for the retreat.
Well, I have received many
graces from the Lord and I want to share one about my Dad which I believe
is a miraculous healing. I have shared with many people but did not get
it published. I thought many times I would do it but somehow kept postponing
it till I read the October issue, "page 13", article "You too can be a
witness to Jesus". "Even the hairs of your head are all numbered"(Mt
10:30).
The above verse from Scripture
gave me immense hope. My loving Dad who had a fit of fever in September
1996, suddenly began suffering from some boils all over his body. This
however was understood as being the result of some strong tablets and so
necessary treatment was given and he recovered. But the following month,
the boils appeared again with greater intensity. After a biopsy it was
discovered that he was suffering from "Pemphigus" a serious ailment which
had no cure but meant death.
I was disturbed and helpless.
My sisters in the community and all over, along with the Novices and Postulants
stormed Heaven with me and my family. I rang up to Chalakudy, Kerala, to
the Congregation of the Blind and requested for prayers."Read Mt.10:30",
was the message given to me. I was afraid, wondering what the message would
be. Was God convicting me of some sins in my life? No! God was only assuring
me of his great love and mercy:"Even the hairs on your head are all
numbered"(Mt 10:30).
At that time (November 1996),
a family from Bandra, were leaving for Potta for a retreat and so with
them I sent a petition that if it were God's will, my Dad would be healed.
God never fails. This family returned with good news. Fr Augustine Vallooran
had made an announcement that a man with a skin disease was getting healed
and that was my Dad.
I had full trust and belief
that it was so but in December 1996, he took very bad and every one in
the family felt that the end was near. That was not the case. The Lord
was touching my Dad not only physically but also spiritually. The boils
disappeared in January 1997 and now it is January 1998. Only some redness
appears after 3-4 months for which he has to take a dose of tablets and
keep his diet. However I feel strongly that this too will disappear gradually
as God is perhaps reminding us to give our testimony to this wonderful
healing and praise him for all that he has done. Dad is a happy man today.
Earlier he was sad and discouraged as life had come to a stand still. I
praise and thank you Jesus for all you've done and is doing for me and
my family, my congregation and the whole world.
Sr Leopoldina
Miranda FHIC
St Joseph's
Training Institute,
Goregaon (E),
Mumbai