"Holy Covid"

Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” Luke 4:23 (NIV)

And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”

Luke 23:35 (NRSV)

Each Lenten period in the Christian liturgical year brings a reckoning on “How Shall We Live”.  This has been the title of a Lenten book study at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.  It has been a wonderful way to hear individual stories of suffering and healing in this community of faith.

In the middle of Holy Week, after finishing the book study, a cough appeared that seemed like my typical exacerbation of seasonal allergies.  The other event were reports of an “outbreak” of Covid in our community, so I performed my Covid Home testing which returned positive in a few seconds.  I was quickly evaluated, the test confirmed and treatment initiated.  

What is interesting is the context of pandemic fatigue with relaxation of masking and social distancing.  There seems to be an effort of “active forgetting” the reality of our recent history of global suffering.  We all are desperately seeking healing.

For me, the intersection of Covid in the middle of Holy Week is another reminder of our human fragility.  This is the mystery of healing that we will celebrate.

Thanks be to God for this Good Friday and Holy Week.

Marvin

References

Bowler, K; Powery LA Living and leading from our mortality.

Christian Century, September 29, 2021.  

Bowler, K. (2021). No Cure for Being Human. Random House.

Hage, M. L. (2011). The Mystery of Healing

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2011/04/mystery-of-healing.html

Hage, M. L. (2021). Promised Healing.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2021/03/promised-healing.html

Healing Reflections

So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. 

  Numbers 27;18 (NIV)

It is always wonderful to be surprised!  That happened this last week with the publication of a new book by Michael Mwachiro, MD, Reflections on Mentorship, Inspiring the Next Generation.  In his book, we hear his medical educational journey and are challenged to implement mentoring in  a new generation of physicians.   He addresses new realities of the changing environments of medical education and practice.   

But this book is bigger than its subject material.  Its best seen as a marker of leadership!  It is a signal of his success and the educational missions in places like Tenwek Hospital.   It encourages me to continue to look for mentoring opportunities.   

Asante sana, Michael

Marvin

References

Mwachiro, M. (2022). Reflections on Mentorship, Inspiring the Next Generation.

Hage, M. L. (2009). Reflections.

http://mhage1941.blogspot.com/2009/02/reflections.html

Hage, M. L. (2010). Healthcare Leadership.

http://mhage1943.blogspot.com/2010/12/healthcare-leadership.html

Hage, M. L. (2018). Healing Together.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2018/01/

Lenten Peace

                                                                   

                         

Sunflowers - 2014

Mimi Hage  

 

 

Lenten Peace Quilt - 2016

First Presbyterian Church,  Holland, Michigan

Personal Photo

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

                                                                        Revelation 22: 2 (NIV)

What does “Peace” look like?  Would we know it if we saw it?  These are pressing Lenten issues during these times of fear, chaos and destruction.

An answer found me in the “Lenten Peace Quilt” - “peace” begins with the small actions of each of us.  For me, It was also brought to life in the “Sunflowers” of my granddaughter’s artwork.  It is the same peace articulated in the book, “Beauty will save the World”.

The current events remind us of small answers using the power of sunflower seeds.  Sunflowers have deep meaning in the Ukrainian church.   It is an amazing story that brings a powerful nonviolent response to the reality of conflict.

So as we pray for and with Ukraine for Lenten peace, may we act with courage to be a witness to the promise of abundant resurrection life.

Marvin

References:

Hage, M. L. (2017). The Beauty of Healing.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-beauty-of-healing.html

Zahnd, B. (2012). Beauty Will Save the World: Rediscovering the Allure and Mystery of Christianity. Charisma House.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: How The Sunflower Has Become A Symbol Of Resistance And Solidarity

https://www.firstpost.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-how-the-sunflower-has-become-a-symbol-of-resistance-and-solidarity-10428271.html

Hage, M. L. (2020). Finding Joy.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2020/01/finding-joy.html

Becoming Better Grandparents

 

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Luke 18:16 (NIV)

I just finished reading a “children’s book” - at least that is how it is disguised with wonderful illustrations and stories from children.  I became aware of this book after hearing the author give a presentation on the January Series from Calvin University.  I was left with a lingering question of how this applies to my grandparent status?  I looked back at my musings on this blog and for new information to integrate.  Here is one example:

“We have the ability to create bonfires of belonging wherever we go. We can also lose this gift if it isn’t carefully tended to. Together, we can help remind one another of our place at the fire.”

The wisdom of children made me very grateful for the blessing of children in my life.  It comes in the form of unexpected gift of chocolate-covered strawberries and a first date to a restaurant eating “tater tots”.  It comes with interrogation; “What is your favorite drink”?  It comes with doing paint by number and hearing, “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”. 

The “back nine” of life has some wonderful grandparent surprises!

Marvin

References:

Montague, Brad. Becoming Better Grownups (p. 86). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Calvin University January Series

https://calvin.edu/directory/series/brad-montague

Hage, M. L. (2015). Healing Grandparents.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2015/10/healing-grandparents.html

Hage, M. L. (2016). Healing Mission.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2016/10/healing-mission.html

Plans

 What’s the plan?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Planning seems different for me this year particularly in the context of the Covid pandemic.  Can we really make plans?  Are plans only for the young?

I just finished two books that address “planning” from both an institutional and personal viewpoint.  These two authors with Duke University Divinity School ties are not naive about the difficulties.  What I think each author would agree with is that the God we worship does provide the Grace and Love that sustains us.  What is always in question is our responses to a God that is chasing after us.  

We engage in God’s work when we find the connection with our specific gifts.  The good news is that God’s plans are not age or or pandemic dependent realities.

Thanks be to God for the promise of plans for our lives.

Marvin

References

Jones, L. G., & Hogue, A. P. (2021). Navigating the Future. Abingdon Press.

Bowler, K. (2021). No Cure for Being Human. Random House

Hage, M. L. (2016). Healing Mission.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2016/10/healing-mission.html 

Lived Life Lessons

 The Vigeland Park

Oslo, Norway

“Tenderness IS tending to the other”

Father Greg Boyle

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:   

Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

It is no small task to compose a curriculum.  It is also well known that what transpires  frequently changes from what was written.  The question of content becomes more problematic  if the material presented is controversial. 

Then here comes Greg Boyle’s new third book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness.  It is similar to his prior descriptions of his ministry at Homeboy Industries. (Click and hear from this community).   With this book, we get closer to the essential components of the “curriculum”.  He describes how much he has learned and seen.  He makes the case that the healing results are most connected to the extravagant tenderness lived within that community.

The invitation is extended to all to become part of a community like Homeboy Industries where extravagant tenderness becomes the catalyst to healing life lessons.  It becomes a way of living that is more than what is written.

Thanks be to God for these lived life lessons.

Marvin

References:

Boyle, Gregory. The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness (p. 221). Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.

Hage, M. L. (2016). A Healing Curriculum.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-healing-curriculum.html

Healing Authority

  

“Changing our views”

Cloud Gate - Chicago Millenium Park

 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ 

you find yourselves cared for.” Matthew 5:7 (MSG)

“Because being moral is crucial to maintaining important relationships and being part of a community, recovery from moral injury is not an individual achievement. It is a relational process that restores our sense of worthiness to be loved, sustains our families and communities, and nurtures creativity, curiosity, and a love of beauty and life.”

Rita Nakashima Brock, from “An epidemic of moral injury”

When I first began medical practice, medical authority was unquestioned and it seemed like “authority” was good.  Unknown to me was that  the “authority” I inherited was partially the result of white male privilege.  As my professional path continued more authority rested on the merits of the scientific method and the rewards its technology brought to patients.  In the 60’s we began to hear the phrase “Question Authority” and  in the information age we all have tools to challenge that authority.

But now we have moved from “question” to “rejection” with threats and real violence.  We have our conversations limited and witness reports questioned.  We have all felt a deep loss that is described as moral injury.  The real problem is not the diagnosis of moral injury, but the prescription.  Can we build new understandings and relationships that will promote well being?  Who will be the partners in the health care responses?   

One encouraging recent example comes from the state of Colorado.  The Colorado report emphasizes the importance of partnership, dialogue and listening as the modus operandi of faith communities with the healthcare institutions.  Trusted relationships are repurposed to address pandemic challenges.

Professional privileges have always been contingent on the relationships to those we serve.  For faith-based providers (healing agents),  practice begins in the community of faith.  It is the foundation for healing authority.  

Marvin

References

Brock, Rita Nakashima An epidemic of moral injury. The Christian Century.  

September 1, 2021

Williams JTB; Miller A; Nussbaum AM  Combating Contagion and Injustice: The Shared Work for Public Health and Faith Communities During COVID-19.

 Journal of Religion & Health. 60(3):1436-1445, 2021 Jun.

Hage, M. L. (2011). Gift Reflections

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2011/10/gift-reflections.html

Hage, M. L. (2019). Healing Cultures.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2019/06/healing-cultures.html

Hage, M. L. (2021). Listening Again.

https://healingagents.blogspot.com/2021/04/listening-again.html