Prayer Request

My dear friend Valerie MacEwan, editor and publisher of the Dead Mule, is undergoing a painful, medical procedure at 1:45 pm. She describes the treatment like this: “I sit there with my head in a donut as a surgeon threads a needle into my spine and injects dye first, then steroids. With no anesthesia. No Valium… nothing.” Today’s is the second of three treatments. The procedure is done as an out-patient, and she will be home tonight.

Please keep Val in your prayers.

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[The poetry section of the Mule will be published on or about November 20. See the Mule Blog tomorrow for further details.]

Edit: 4:30 pm  Due to a monumental screw-up, Val will have this procedure on Thursday, I think.

A Ministry of Healing and Reconciliation by Henri Nouwen

How does the Church witness to Christ in the world? First and foremost by giving visibility to Jesus’ love for the poor and the weak. In a world so hungry for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and most of all unconditional love, the Church must alleviate that hunger through its ministry. Wherever we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the lonely, listen to those who are rejected, and bring unity and peace to those who are divided, we proclaim the living Christ, whether we speak about him or not.

It is important that whatever we do and wherever we go, we remain in the Name of Jesus, who sent us. Outside his Name our ministry will lose its divine energy.