Jesus fell three times
Late on Friday afternoon I took a call from the Resus team in A&E and spoke with one of the Palliative care team.
They had referred me a lovely patient who was end of life and sadly deteriorating quite rapidly.
When I found him in the corner of the A&E department all the staff had already warmed to his kind personality.
I went into the curtained area, thinking of the prayers that could be said for end of life and what should be said. This was all turned upside down as I listened to what he was saying.
A choir boy and server for the majority of his life, as well as being a dedicated ward volunteer, helping nurses and doctors and being alongside his sister and wife as they died, it became apparent he had all the words.
It was only reflecting later I realised the magnitude of what he was saying. He kept repeating the Stations of the Cross where Jesus falls, and reaching ahead of him with his arms outstretched.
“Jesus fell three times. Again and again and again” He was really with Jesus in that moment. He was walking the path to the cross, falling but knowing where he was heading. He took reassurance from the words “I go and prepare a place for you”
I had brought with me a crucifix with Jesus on it, he told me nobody had ever given him something like that before. It had become a treasure and very relevant in what he kept repeating. As he was walking towards the cross, he was met in that journey with Jesus, his saviour.
We started reading some prayers and he started Psalm 23, although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me. He almost shouted ”your rod and your staff they comfort me“.
I asked if he wanted to hear any hymns, he started singing all things bright and beautiful. “all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all”
I offered communion and he managed to take some of the bread with a nurse standing by assisting, a nurse, like many, willing to go above and beyond to fulfil his last wishes.
He also told me how he was given white robes when he was helping in the hospitals, he said this a number of times... perhaps an angel on earth being assured of the promises that await him.
As I left he said “see you again”, I knew I may see him again, but not in this lifetime.
These moments are a privilege. I left him walking towards the cross, to his own ending on earth, into the everlasting kingdom, alongside Jesus. And I knew he was in safe hands. The palliative care team, nurses, and Jesus, have assured his comfort.
Peace be with you. A candle is alight and burning strongly tonight.
Stations of the Cross:
- Jesus is condemned to death.
- Jesus is given His cross.
- Jesus falls down for the first time.
- Jesus meets His mother Mary.
- Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross.
- Veronica wipes blood off of Jesus' face.
- Jesus falls down for the second time.
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
- Jesus falls down for the third time.
- Jesus is stripped of His clothing.
- Jesus is nailed to the cross - the Crucifixion.
- Jesus dies on the cross.
- Jesus' body is removed from the cross - the Deposition or Lamentation.
- Jesus' body is placed in the tomb.