Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Friday August 6, 2004

If you get sick or have an accident, as I did, you have to be prepared to live with an incredible array of pills, capsules, powders, syrups, and other mysterious objects, which are supposed to keep you alive. Admittedly, some of these seem to make a contribution toward longevity. However, for six years I took pills for my heart three times a day, only to have them discontinued because a study showed that they made no difference at all. I actually had a psychological reaction of feeling sick when I didn’t take the pills, which were useless. It’s amazing how we come to rely on powers and pills and we do not rely so much on God. If you ask people to trust God as much as they trust their medication, they probably would be quite surprised. God doesn’t promise to make us better or to get over illnesses, but He does promise us eternal life if we follow the teachings of His Son and accept His salvation. This is a marvelous promise, which depends on hope, because we can’t see it in this world.
I intend to continue to take my pills, no doubt with some mistakes, because there are so many of them and they have to be taken at so many different times. I even try to take them quite accurately—you might say religiously (no pun intended)—but in the long run my reliance is on God. He is the one who is going to get me through this difficult life and see to it that at the end it has some meaning.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Dear Fr. Groeschel, Yes! Getting up and resuming our responsibilities and activities helps a great deal in the healing process. As I struggle now after this stroke I have found this so true. I'm wondering if as a small child I had this much trouble learning how to walk...he he! But with GOD all things are possible. So we go on...push forward ...heaven always heaven! I wonder if there are physical therapists there? ekkkkkkk....lol God Bless you and keep up the fight! You will always be a "rightly" to me! love - Rebecca, Littleton, CO

Dear Fr. Benedict "Lefty" I praise God each day to see you getting better. And please give my warmest regards to the newly Solemnly Professed Friars. Unfortunately I am too old canonically to join you myself as a Franciscan but God knows what He is doing. Thank you for your witness, painful though it be. St. Francis' sufferings did not stop him from doing God's work; and after all he IS a great teacher, is he not? - Fr. Bill Malloy, Pine Mt. Club, California

Dear Father Benedict, The perpetual vows video was so moving. Thanking you for including it on your website. And in your 1-second scene, you looked good, very good. May God continue to bless you in your holy work. - Gene, Vandergrift, Penn.

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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