The Abbot’s Notebook for March 8, 2017
Blessings to you! This last week after I returned from South Africa, I began to feel some kind of illness and no matter what I did, it did not get better. I was supposed to fly to Dallas on Sunday, March 5th, and then participate in the Canonical Visitation of Thien Tam from March 6th through 10th. Instead I went to the emergency room on the morning of March 5th.
I don’t like being sick! But there are times when I cannot avoid it. If it is just a cold or the flu, that is kind of normal, even though I do not like it. Even less do I like it when I have to change travel plans and phone the airline and tell them I am sick. God does not always honor my preferences.
Surely there is a spirituality of sickness. Lots of saints have had sicknesses all of their lives. I prefer the spirituality of good health. Again, however, we do not get to choose.
I had my appendix removed by surgery on Sunday morning at 10:00 am and am still in the hospital. I hope to get out by Friday. Please pray for me.
I will keep this notebook short this week because I don’t have the strength or energy to write more. If I get a chance and have more energy, I will add to it!
I send you my love and prayers.
Your brother in the Lord,
Abbot Philip
