Why are nuns happy to serve patients?

(CGOL) Taking care of the elderly, sick and infirm is always a difficult job, even a burden for many people. Therefore, many families and children often push to take care of their elderly, sick and sick parents for each other, making their parents sad. Many people find it uncomfortable or burdensome to care for the elderly or long-term ill. Many people are easily irritable, short-tempered, annoyed, unhappy with the elderly, the sick, the sick. Yet I do not see such attitudes in the infirmary of the Bui Chu Rosary Congregation.

Recently, I occasionally visit some sick elderly fathers to be cared for, and I myself have a few times to go to physiotherapy at the Institute’s infirmary. Paying close attention, I always see the nuns happy and attentive to all patients. The nuns consider the elderly patients as their parents, the middle-aged as brothers and sisters, the young people as the youngest in the house. From words to gestures, from eyes to actions, the nuns always express their kindness and thoughtfulness to patients. Paying close attention to the patients, I feel that the patients are very safe and trust the medical nuns. Especially in the physiotherapy room, the nuns are always happy to talk to patients like a festival, like a New Year’s Day. The way the nuns treated their patients in this way instilled optimism and hope in the patients. If their physical illness has not been cured, their spirits have been somewhat lifted. Certainly they are more optimistic, happier, and especially for those who have faith, they will be ready to accept all the joys and sorrows, luck or risks of life.

Image from the internet, for illustration purposes only

Observing the nuns’ attitude, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why is it that the work the nuns are doing is so difficult that they are always so cheerful, considerate, and kind to patients? What motivates the nuns to not tire of taking care of the sick? What is the justification for accomplishing this difficult task?

Talking to a few nuns who work there, I received the answer: First of all, nuns care for patients in a caring, attentive and joyful way, because they see it as a duty, one responsibility, one mission: the mission of serving the suffering. Because of the awareness that it is a mission, a duty, a responsibility, a vocation, every nun tries to fulfill that mission in the best way to bring comfort and healing to the patient because she is already a patient. everyone has suffered. A little optimism, kindness, and joy can spark hope, joy, and even the potential to bring healing.

Second, the nuns can do a good job of that because naturally the nuns have the compassion that I always joke with the nuns: “only sisters can do it, not many priests.” bear. God give you big hearts. Without a heart that understands and shares, no one can do that job well.” In fact, in everyday life, there are still people who are rich in kindness. Seeing the suffering of others, these people are often resentful and ready to help where they can. Therefore, in this world, in social life, there is no shortage of people who are rich in kindness, even if they do not belong to any religion. They do it just because they have a kind heart, do it without anyone knowing, without anyone paying… In fact, after all, in a mysterious and secret way, God himself has placed it in man. The heart can move and sympathize with the humiliation and suffering of others.

Finally, nuns are able to do so because they derive strength, joy, and comfort from Jesus, whom they are fully devoted to giving their lives to. The sisters are convinced that when they take care of the small, the sick, the poor, they are doing it for God and that the reward they receive is not what the patients give them, but the reward. of the Lord himself as the Lord said in the Gospel, “Come, blessed of my Father, and receive your inheritance, which the Kingdom of God has prepared for you. For when I was hungry, you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, you welcomed me; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, you visited me; I was imprisoned, you came to Me.” (Mt Mt 25:34-36). The sick, the sick, the suffering, the poor… are the images of the suffering Jesus. Here I am, which you did for me” (Mt 25:40).

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a wonderful example of bringing God’s love to others. From a very happy nun in the Loretto order, she broke away and founded a new order called the Missionaries of Charity just to take care of the suffering. She is heartbroken and loves the suffering, the poor, the abandoned, the dying… When participating in the mission of the church, she does not talk about God in words but cares for those who are kind. anguished. My mother once told me that one day she met a dying man lying in a gutter. Bringing home, mother bathed and graciously washed his wounds. This man said to his mother: When I was alive, I was not considered a human being, but today I am considered an angel. Then he gave his mother a big smile. The next day, he passed away peacefully. For Mother Teresa of Calcutta, love is the best way to introduce Jesus to others. Perhaps the other Rosary sisters also wanted to introduce God to others by the way of loving service.

Life’s good! God always gives humanity everywhere, at all times, human beings with kind hearts so that they can become the embodiment of God’s love for mankind. Sisters who choose to live a consecrated life to God to serve others with kindness, joy, and care are a sign of God’s presence in this world. In other words, the joyful, optimistic, attentive service of God’s sisters is God’s gift to humanity and to the church. It is hoped that such generous hearts will never be lacking in the Church, so that the Church of God can constantly arouse for humanity joy, hope, and especially the Church fulfills its mission of reflecting the light of God’s love. God for the world today.

Joseph:  Nguyen Van Toanh – GPBC