Yes: Churches as Field Hospitals

I am increasingly drawn to Pope Francis referring to church as “a field hospital.”

All of us experience life’s aches and pains. Sometimes, people turn to church in times of need. When churches function best, churches serve people in their greatest need – lifting people above life’s aches and pains, lifting all of us into and/or toward dignity. Christ came to heal.

I was moping this evening, groaning about an emotional ache. “How am I going to fix X problem in my life? I feel miserable, despairing!” I prayed at some point during the day – in the morning, perhaps – asking God to move me toward a solution to this current “miserable ache in my life” (I’ve learned better than to expect what God’s solutions should look like). In the afternoon, I was feeling like there couldn’t possibly be a solution. I’m doomed to misery! Later this evening, a church friend called. She gushed with praise about what I’m doing with A Parish Catechist. Gradually, I began to feel hope as we talked.

When my friend and I got off the phone, I sat and reflected on our phone call. I saw that my “miserable despair” was rooted partially in seeing only my side of the situation about which I’m feeling miserable. Time to go and be nice to the person about whom I feel miserable. Thank you, God, for an answered prayer.

Field Hospital: What are each of us – and our churches – doing to lift up the people around us?

Kim Burkhardt blogs at A Parish Catechist.