Spiritual Insight
 
While doing her engineering, Shirley came to know she was a heart patient. That was in 1967. She underwent a heart surgery in Vellore. In 1989 she suffered a stroke and then was partially paralysed. The following are her reflections based on her personal experience.
 
Trials Are a Positive Experience
 
Shirley Joy

It comes like a bolt from the blue. All of a sudden, at the least expected moment. "Your illness is fatal. Only five or six months more to live. No doctor can cure you." Today, the number of people who receive such shocking verdicts is on the increase. They have only their misfortune to bewail and give a list of the attendant sufferings.

But let us ask: is such a man truly unfortunate? All who are born will die. When? We do not know. Is it a big misfortune to know that the end will come after five or six months? On the contrary, is it not a good opportunity to take stock of his life up till now?

When all cry "misfortune, misfortune," it is a blessing to be able to say, "No, it is a fight of love". One can then face life happily. Let us see how such a man can spend his time each day (a sick man’s day is longer than usual). He can invite God into his heart, God who loves to dwell in man. He can ask Jesus to unite all the pain, difficulties, suffering of each day with his own and offer it to the Father; think only of one day at a time; ask the Blessed Mother’s help to spend this day, given as a gift, as well as he can. Mary, whom Jesus gave us as our own mother, is only too willing to do so. He can also follow the command of Jesus, "Love others as I have loved you," tell himself, "I have been blessed with some time to prepare myself. Let me go to God happily, spend each day in this hope".

How easy it is to speak philosophically! Is it possible to do all this? I’m writing this from personal experience. It was an unexpected blow when I came to know in 1967 that I was a heart patient. Till then I was an active student studying for engineering. Before I finished the course I was married and soon after the examination became pregnant. In the seventh month, during a check up I got this piece of news about myself. Then came bed rest in the hospital till the delivery. At that time heart disease was fatal. When the labour pains began I was told to meet all those I wanted to. Delivery was followed soon after by heart surgery at Vellore. In 1989 February I suffered a partial paralytic stroke. Even now I’m not quite myself.

Yet, with God’s special grace I’m living a happy life. Even when I came face to face with death, the faith that the Lord is with me gave me courage to live. I want so much to share my experience with those who despair as soon as they know they are sick. Praise you Jesus, thank you Jesus!

There may be some people who think: "This is for those who are afflicted with major maladies. Why should I think of it?" Is that all right? Is there anyone who can go to bed absolutely certain of rising the next day? Let us remember the rich man in the parable Jesus gave. He wanted to build new and big barns to store his grain but was called to God that very night. Are we like him?

Let us reflect for a moment. Henceforth I must live better than I did till today. If I see the light of a new day, let me tell myself: God has given me a new day. I must amass as much spiritual wealth as possible. Let us not be satisfied with just a Morning Offering. It is 2000 years since the Lord offered himself as a sacrificial victim. Keralites are fortunate in that in most places there is a church at walking distance where this sacrifice is renewed daily. This sacrifice is the best prayer. Let us take an active part in that prayer. Sacrifice the sinful man in us in union with Christ on the cross. Never lose an opportunity to cast off the old man in us and put on the new. The Lord ministers to us in every Mass, "This is my body broken for you for your sins. Take and eat". To live as good people we need strength. There is no meaning in acting indifferently when a banquet is served to us and then complain we have no strength, we are falling into temptation. Eat well become strong. Satan is trying hard to catch his prey. Say the prayer Christ taught us meaningfully. Pray for our daily bread to the Father. We know, to be forgiven it is enough to forgive others. Let us remember this always. We have been told how to behave towards others: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Let us live as followers of Jesus in thought, word and deed; stand close by him in this age of renewal; do as much good as we can; avoid evil; offer our pain and difficulties to him.
 
Let the world end at any time. If we are sufficiently prepared, why fear? Why not say good bye to the world happily?