Theme: MANAGING CHRONIC ILLNESSES
Text: “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26.
Comment: The Christian spirit is that of service to one another based on the principle of loving our neighbours as ourselves. Anyone going through the painful experience of ill-health or any kind of difficulty needs the understanding and support of one and all, not rejection and neglect.
St. Paul said: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Romans 15:1) He also exhorts: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) We should love not only in word by in deeds. Apostle Paul never forgot to mention and show appreciation to those disciples who showed compassion on him even in his bonds, telling the Hebrew Christians: “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” He also prayed for the house of Onesiphorus who helped him he was in distress. 2 Timothy 1:16-18;Hebrews 10:34) St. Peter exhorted us have “compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful”, (1 Peter 3:8) while St. Paul says “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” – Romans 12:15.