Komen, Cancer and Life (2 Cor 4:8-10) by Ed Heigl

14 Jun Komen, Cancer and Life (2 Cor 4:8-10) by Ed Heigl

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.” ~ 2 Cor 4:8-10 (full readings)
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Ed’s Reflections: In May, 2012 I was diagnosed with stage 4 liver and rectal cancers.  Soon after, I felt a very strong desire to go to the Komen Race for the Cure, not as a participant, but as a witness to God’s love and mercy.  Beforehand, I prayed to Jesus to give me the strength and courage to do what I planned.  I ran in a pro-life shirt with a cross and a quote from Mother Theresa on the back.  Carrying a large American flag, I began to run along the course, toward the starting line, at which point I began to meander though the crowd of many thousands. Some of the participants smiled and gave me thumbs up, others averted their eyes as soon as they saw me, and still others were oblivious.  Cancer is such a horrible illness. I really felt that it was important to support the cause (cancer awareness and research), but at the same time Komen has been side-tracked by Planned Parenthood (at least part of the event was about making big money for the nation’s largest abortion-provider).  My hope was that most of the money raised would go to research where it can truly make a difference.  After the start of the race I ran on the sidewalk going the opposite direction so the participants could see me.  I stopped at St. Francis Xavier Church for a prayer and then headed home not really knowing if what I had done had made a difference.  I do know, however, that God does not measure things by human standards.  I felt pleased that I had followed through, kept my promise, and that my body was able to tolerate the difficulty and the suffering that I had endured. What I did was not about me but about God’s love and mercy.
* Ed Heigl is the Area Director of Operations for Spectrum Retirement Communities in St. Louis.  Over the last 33 years he has dedicated himself to the elderly and the dying, to give them respect and human dignity.  He has been married to Beth for 31 years and has three adopted children:  Alex 17,  Addie 15 and John 9 years old.  Since May, 2012 Ed has endured 21 rounds of Chemotherapy, during which time, as an active St. Louis LIFE Runner, he has run numerous road races and long distance bicycle rides (oftentimes with numb feet, exhaustion, nausea and a Chemo bag strapped to his chest).  Please join all LIFE Runners in praying for Ed as he undergoes surgery and a 22nd round of chemotherapy this week.
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Faith Challenge: Support organizations that raise money for cancer awareness and research in a wholly pro-life manner and pray for/encourage Komen to sever ties to Planned Parenthood (and when/if they do, support them as well!).
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: St. Albert Chmielowski 
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Faith Quote: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure…” (2 Cor 4:16-17).
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Through Christ our Lord,
Ed