RBWords - Volume 29 - Number 7: July 2016
Something to Think About
R.B.WORDS – VOLUME 29 – NUMBER 7 – JULY 2017 SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT All the turmoil and political maneuvering that has accompanied the proposed health care legislation has given many people something to think about. Those of us who are senior citizens (I am 74) and rely on Medicare and Medicaid are concerned. Those who live at or near the poverty line in our country are concerned about access to health care at all other than the emergency room. I cannot help but thing that the term “equal access” simply means for those who can pay. The ideology that is impacting the debate seems detached from the numbers of living people who will be negatively impacted the proposed legislation. Those of us who are “independents” find ourselves at the mercy of wrangling politicians of both major political parties. No doubt, many of these politicians are sincerely motivated but they seem more interested in scoring a political victory and keeping their political positions than they do about the people who need health care. Our Church has proclaimed that good health care is not a privilege but a right. This is clearly based on Jesus’ teachings and care for others and on reflection about fundamental human dignity. It’s not just the urban poor who will suffer, but rural areas served by small town hospitals that will close. The hospitals in Lubbock, TX, where I live serve a huge area of western Texas and eastern New Mexico. But it is very hard for farm workers or other rural laborers to make a long trip into the city for basic health care. Preventive health care programs that emphasize good health care – smoking prevention, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, diet, domestic violence prevention can help everyone to avoid already overwhelmed emergency rooms. The delivery of health care is a complex issue, the right to good basic care should not be a matter of debate and political wrangling and ideology. The gospel should be our guide, not the next electoral cycle. IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. SCHEDULES AND EVENTS - This issue of RBWORDS is appearing somewhat early because I will have the first of two cataract operations on July 26th. The second date is TBA. July began with me in Lemont, IL, preaching the second of two retreats for the Sisters of St. Casimir at a retirement village. Since then, I have been back in Lubbock helping to cover our university parish while the pastor and associate are away. August will feature a retreat for candidates for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Lubbock. Otherwise I will be doing the regimen of eye drops required by cataract surgery until I go on my annual retreat/visit to the Pacific coast of Oregon, August 28 – September 6. Please pray for a successful cataract procedure. IT HAS BEEN SAID: To be regenerated is to realize that our self-esteem is not based on our efforts – on what we have done or accomplished. Rather, I live moved by the understanding that my self-worth is based squarely on the fact that I am loved. To be regenerated is to refuse to be scandalized by the reality of our own fragility. From WHY PREACH – ENOUNTERING CHRIST IN GOD’S WORD by Peter John Cameron, O.P.<< Previous Date [Back to List] Next Date >>