Twice Poisoned, Many Times Blessed

As I alluded to yesterday, I finally broke down, stuffed the Tough Guy act in a trunk up in the attic, and booked it to the emergency room of the local medical center to have my swollen eye and rash checked out. The exam also revealed a swollen right ankle, the kind you'd get of the high-sprain variety, although, amazingly, I could feel no pain. In all, it was a five-hour ordeal, much of it waiting in rooms air-conditioned enough to provide Arctic survival training, and some of it being poked with needles, gulping down pills, and having blood work done and vital signs checked.

I saw, in this order: the admitting person, a triage nurse, the ER head nurse, an admissions officer, three ER nurses, a doctor, a lab technician, and the discharge nurse. I felt like I was in a soap opera, Scrubs Leave Danny Dazed. They left me feeling thankful.


6-5-2007: A Medical Odyssey - The Reader's Digest version of my medical odyssey is the diagnosis that, in two separate and non-related (but simultaneous) events, (a) I got bit by a critter, most likely a venomous spider, and (b) I rubbed against poison oak. The oak caused the nasty rash; Boris the Spider took credit for the Michelin-Tire-Man swelling of eye and ankle. It seems the two poisons decided to get in bed together in my bloodstream and shack up.

But the medicine and kind care got me feeling reasonably fit by the time I was discharged. I'll have a bit of a struggle for a few more days, but it's something I will easily handle. Remember: it's all attitude.

I don't know if I hit the infirmary on the right day or what, but every medical professional I came into contact with had that "mercy attitude." They may not have known a syllable of the Divine Mercy message, they may have never heard of Healthcare Professionals for The Divine Mercy, and they probably couldn't spell "Nurse Marie Romagnano" if they weren't spotted the alphabet, but I tell you what. Nurse Marie would have been proud of every one of them.

Mercy in Action - They were kind, friendly, and upbeat. Each introduced himself or herself to me. Each asked if they could do anything to make me more comfortable. When I talked, the listened. They made me feel like a person and not "just another patient." They made caring, compassionate contact with me. I saw mercy in action.

While one of the nurses drew blood, I asked her about her work. She said you have to love it and "feel called" to the profession to make a good nurse. She likened it to a vocation. So true. Writing, religion, and medicine are three industries where you'd better "feel the call" before you make it your life's work. Otherwise, you'll be a miserable mercenary, regardless of how much money you make or how much success you achieve.

"The doctor is taking very good care of me; all those around me are very kind to me" (Diary of St. Faustina, 801).

Dear St. F, you took the words right out of my mouth.


The CM Checks In! - Many have asked lately about the Church Mouse. It's been a while since the little furry fellow checked in, and some were concerned. Fear not, however! Last night brought a mousy missive from the Chippendale of Cheese, addressed to yours truly. Allow me to share it with you. You'll enjoy it!

Hi Dan,
Your wee friend has been away on a mini family vacation for a couple of days. The first few weeks of summer have been just exhausting! There is so much going on, and my little legs can only run so far. Us "meeses" had a fine time, visiting the cheeseheads in Wisconsin. The Packers may not be the Patriots (who is??), but they make pretty good formaggio in the Cheese state (though not as good as Vermont!). So let me fill you in on a few Shrine things.

First we had to put out another APB for the statue of St. Philomena, as she has still not returned to Eden Hill. Dan, I think you mentioned that in one of your journal entries. Then Jesus, or rather the Holy Eucharist, was held hostage in the tabernacle of the National Shrine. We had to call in a safe cracker to get him out. Someone told me you wrote about this, too. Wow, your spies really get around the Hill!

The Portuguese and Brazilians pilgrims dropped in for a celebration of their heritage and devotion to The Divine Mercy. I heard Br. Ken dos Santos, MIC, did a terrific job that day. And then, just when I thought it was safe to come out from under the pew, nine - count 'em - nine busloads of Filipino pilgrims descended upon the National Shrine and just wore me out. But I loved it. The pilgrims filled the church, they filled the tent, they picnicked on the lawn, and they made Eden Hill buzz with the love for The Divine Mercy. They even brought their own ethnic foods. The crumbs were exquisite!

The busses came from Boston and New York, and even included a couple that had rescheduled because they couldn't make the trip on Divine Mercy Sunday because of the bad weather. They were all just pleased to be here amid the splendor of Eden Hill and the many graces to be had on this "holy mountain."

That's what Eden Hill is all about, Dan. They come here by the thousands every year, each one with his or her unique reasons for the pilgrimage. They come looking for answers to prayers, answers to questions. Some come just to enjoy a day away from the city and the pressures and hectic pace they live every day. Some are simply seeking a tasty box lunch and a hot cup of coffee to be enjoyed in an Edenic spot. Most, though, are seeking mercy. They come looking for forgiveness of sin. They seek spiritual direction, peace of mind, and something to hold onto in the slippery-slope journey through life, as many come here falling or in the middle of a slide.

We often hear that pilgrims are "changed" by their visits to Eden Hill. Some are visibly touched, and the tears well up in their eyes. Others take a sigh of relief and leave with a smile on their face.

One such pilgrim is our friend, Max. He was the subject of a 2006 feature article in the Marian Helper magazine titled, Meet Max. Autism has been Max's lifetime cross to bear and the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy is his favorite prayer. He watches the broadcast on EWTN every day and recently made his yearly pilgrimage to the National Shrine to pray the Chaplet in person, along with his mother and grandmother. And by the way, we took a poll. Max likes the new broadcast version of the Chaplet on EWTN.

Max's pure, simple love for the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy and the Chaplet makes us remember why we are really here on Eden Hill, and what is really important. We all have different duties, many of which outwardly appear to have little to do with spreading the message of Divine Mercy, like mowing lawns, answering phones, opening mail, cleaning the bathrooms, or keeping the Shrine aisles clear of an overabundance of cheese. This Ratatouille of good clergy and lay people band together to make Eden Hill the heartbeat of the message of The Divine Mercy. Invariably, we receive far more than we are ever able to give!

Your loving friend,
The Church Mouse (the CM)




'Who Wrote This?' - (GAME SHOW MUSIC IS HEARD. BOOMING ANNOUNCER'S VOICE:) And Now It's Time to Play ... "Who Wrote This?," the game show that asks the rhetorical question, "who wrote this?" And now, the host of "Who Wrote This," M-a-r-rrrrrrtin Rrrrrraymer!

(APPLAUSE SIGN LIGHTS UP, DRUM ROLL, RAYMER BOUNDS OUT FROM BEHIND A CURTAIN). Hey, folks, you all know who to play "Who Wrote This?" We take a religious-type quotation from a famous person, and we ask "Who Wrote This?" Are the contestants ready? All right, for a plenary indulgence, two prayercards, three Bingo games, and a personally signed picture from Fr. Kaz Chwalek, MIC ... (MUSIC UP) Identify This Writer! Who Wrote This? We'll have the answer at the end of this journal!

"[The] Way to a Christian Virtue. Learning from one's enemy is the best way toward loving them; for it makes us grateful to them."

(IN EXAGGERATED, GAME-SHOW HOST VOICE) I'll give you a clue. Pope Benedict XVI mentioned him (male, that's a second clue) in his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love). Anyone out there feeling lucky that wants to give it a shot? Oh, but we're out of time. Today's show has been brought to you by Kierke-Guard, the Deodorant for Philosophers. Until next time, this is Martin Raymer saying, "how long? So long."


God is Love - At some point, I want to parse Deus Caritas Est, a great document debut for the new pope, released on Christmas Day, 2005. The title pretty much sums up Benny's controlling idea. God is all love and love is all God. The Pope writes: "It is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us. In a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance of even a duty of hatred and violence, this message is both timely and significant."

If love "is the response" by us to "the gift" from God by which He "draws near to us," then, obviously, our response is crucial. Now how does one respond to a gift? With thanks and graciousness. You do that by taking inventory of your life and your world, and seeing where love is operating. Then give thanks to the Source. Whether it's thanks for something as "small" as a walk in the beautiful woods, or gratefulness for something as "large" as a lifetime love for a spouse or friend, giving thanks acts as a magnet that draws God. "Thanks" is the magnet. God is the "metal filings." Try it. You'll see.


You, too, Can Journal - That time is at hand, friends, where my journaling rests for now. You know, you can journal, too. You don't need to be published, as I am, and you wouldn't want to be. It's not easy to let thousands of people across the world in on your spiritual musings. So you have the advantage and luxury of privacy. But you will get the same boost in awareness. If you start a discipline of journaling every day and stick to it, you will be forced to see the threads that weave together the disparate elements of your life. This heightens consciousness like you wouldn't believe. Be forewarned, though: it will change you ... for the good.

The answer to "Who Wrote This?" - Friedrich Nietzsche (surprised?)

Now I head to R&R over the weekend, continuing to heal from a puffed-up eye, a ridley rash, and a hot-air-balloon ankle (I won't be leading the league this week in stolen bases). My best to all, dripped with blessings, and a "howdy, hound dog" adios.

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