Repeated from 2 weeks ago
26th October 2014
What Do You Think Of In a Dentist’s Chair??
Last week I was sitting in the dentist waiting for a surgeon to remove my wisdom tooth. Usually whilst I’m sitting in a dentist chair I say the rosary; I use my fingers to count to 10!
On this occasion however, no chance! It was impossible to concentrate on anything but what was about to happen to my mouth!! I did, however, manage a smile when I thought of one of my favourite quotes from the Jesuit priest John Powell.
“It’s very hard to love when you are sitting in a dentist chair.”
Oh, he was sooo right!!
He was of course making a serious point. When we are frightened, anxious or in pain, it’s very hard, if not impossible to have positive thoughts, or to think about others. All we can think about is the anxiety or pain we are in. it can be quite destructive; it seems to eat away from the inside.
Fortunately we don’t have to stay like that. If you have a toothache you go to a dentist. If you feel ill you go to a doctor and they make it better. And if you are struggling emotionally, or spiritually you can to go a priest. The healing ministry of the Church whether using the sacraments of Holy Communion, anointing or confession can be so powerful. Never a week goes by without witnessing the effect they can have: replacing darkness, fear, guilt, anxiety with peace and joy, sometimes like the Doctor or Dentist we can be fearful of seeking the help we need. But as with the dentist last week, it works, so we can get on with the business of living and loving.
P.S One thing that has cheered me up was the story of a student who for the second year in a row is taking some time out of his busy degree (Not like my History Degree with its 7 hours a week lecturers – he’s training as a teacher, so it’s full time!) to raise money for charity. Last year with a group of friends they did a sponsored climb of Snowdon. This year the plan is to do a sponsored 5 day fast on bread and water to support a children’s hospice. His friends have for various reasons fallen by the wayside, but he’s determined to go ahead. It’s not an uncommon story, our young people do so much good, which often goes unnoticed. On this occasion, however, I smiled & ‘yes’ I felt proud, as the student in question is my son! As he’s attempting such a difficult thing (I’ve done a 3 days fast but 5?!) I’d be selling him short if I didn’t at least ask, if anyone would like to sponsor him, you can make a donation by putting it in an envelope and mark it ‘Andrew’ or ‘Fast’.
