By Sharon Wilson
Earlier this month my husband had a close call with death. A tumor, overactive parathyroid gland and a Calcium level of 20 (normal is 8-10) caused my husband to become one of those cases that the doctors and their med school students had never seen. It may sound dramatic, but in listening to these professionals, we found out just how lucky he is to be walking around at all and to have escaped without cancer or permanent kidney or heart damage.
Today’s first reading had me thinking about our gratitude and how we are approaching our life differently.
And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 13
We are all called to give thanks to God unceasingly, after all, our very being is a gift from God, but during a crisis sometimes things get lost.
During my husband Dave’s two week stay in the hospital, his surgery and even after his release, I found that I just couldn’t pray. Isn’t it strange, that during a time when I am in great crisis, I found myself unable to even think or do anything other than walk through the day one minute at a time. I brought a rosary with me to the hospital and found myself in the middle of a decade unable to remember any mysteries. I never finished a complete rosary at the hospital and let my mind wander to any bible story that came to me as my focus. I figured the Blessed Mother was leading and taking care of me.
My other saving grace at this time was my group of prayer partners. My WINE: Women in the New Evangelization friends were praying for me when I couldn’t pray myself. For this I am extremely grateful. What a gift to be able to turn to my friends to help me when I couldn’t help myself.
I also reached out to our priest friend who came to visit us in the hospital. He and the Companions of Christ also prayed for Dave. During the prayer at Dave’s hospital bed, he asked for the intersession of Bishop Dudley. Bishop Dudley is not a declared saint, but a local Priest/Bishop that we knew personally and who I believe may some day be a declared saint. He lived his life with such prayerfulness and dignity and he imparted simple, faithful wisdom in so many ways. He suffered many trials and responded to these trials with unceasing joy. Below is a prayer for his intersession and it brought me peace to know that I could rely on others, both on this earth and those heavenly bound, to take up my prayers for me when I could not.
Dave is home recuperating now and we are learning to “give thanks to God unceasingly.” I believe Bishop Dudley could be a great example.
Prayer for the Intercession of Bishop Paul V. Dudley
“Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly.” (Romans 12:12).
Heavenly Father, as Bishop Paul Dudley radiated the joy of Jesus Christ, even in the direst situations, so fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I might always radiate Your joy.
Grant me the grace to persevere in hardships, especially (name the situation). As Bishop Dudley did, may I completely trust Your Divine will and rely upon Your grace and strength to endure joyfully whatever you send me. May that prayer which resonated in the heart of our beloved Bishop Dudley sound in my heart as well: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Come Holy Spirit, en kindle in me the fire of Your love and renew the face of
* the earth,
* the Church,
* my family,
* myself.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
About the author:
Sharon Wilson – Wife, Mother, Writer, Catholic Speaker, and a WINE Specialist. Sharon has a degree in education and has worked as a freelance writer, Respect Life Coordinator, a teacher, in advertising, radio, buyer and in youth advocacy – She even rode an elephant in the circus once! Sharon speaks, writes and shares about God’s healing and about the great gift of being Catholic at SharonAgnesWilson.com
Thank you for sharing your story- your husband and family are prayed for! I love the prayer for the intercession of Bishop Dudley— thank you for sharing it! I am going to join you in praying for his intercession- my husband was an altar server for “Father Dudley” and has happy memories of and great respect for this wonderful and holy man! I met, but cannot say I “knew”, Bishop Dudley, however I feel I am getting to know him story by story… he must have been a positive influence in the lives- and conversion- of many, many people, including some, like you, who go on to be influential in the faith lives of others! Thank you again for sharing your story and your prayer!
Thank you Monica. Bishop Dudley is a powerful intersessor!
Sharon,
I appreciated reading this so much this morning as I sit here waiting for Mike, while he is in surgery. I am happy to hear your husband survived such a terrible medical situation and hope and pray he continues to be well. I can so relate to the not being able to pray. Mike had 8 surgeries the first 10 years we were married and countless others since then. Always I reach out to prayer warrior friends ahead of time to pray as I know I may have one of those moments, of just not being able to pray. It brings so much peace knowing others are praying for him, when I cannot.
I also appreciate reading about dear Bishop Dudley, and the prayer for his intercession. I do believe he will be declared a Saint some day as well. He was a dear soul on this earth. He was a good friend to my Uncle Fr.James Holl. Fr.Holl was a priest in this archdiocese for 62 years before his passing. Bishop Dudley’s peaceful presence was such a blessing each time I encountered him. I worked for the Airlines for many years and each time I saw Bishop Dudley at the airport, he always took the time to say hello and ask how I was. Just so thoughtful and caring.
Thank you Sharon and God bless you and your husband!
Teresa
Oh Teresa,
You and your family are such excellent mofels of discipleship. I admire your faith so much. Oremus Pro Invicem (Let us pray for each other)
Oh Sharon – I love this. I was humbled to be able to pray with you at the time – and now overwhelmed that Bishop Dudley’s intercession was asked for. He was my spiritual father – without him, I would not be home in the Church. Thank you for this prayer you have shared with us – and thank you for your witness. How amazing that God has delivered your husband through this – and you as well. God is Good!
I am so grateful for his recovery AND your friendship. Thank you fro praying for me when I couldn’t pray for myself.