God Is Very Near
by Fr. Juan Diego Sutherland, CFR
To the ancients of Israel, God was such a part of everyday existence that they asked, “What great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God is to us whenever we call upon him?” (Dt 4:7) Amid the cares and tasks of everyday life the Lord was remembered and honored. This yearning for the Eternal was evidenced in customs and mores of the Jewish people. Even the names the Hebrews gave their children bespoke the Divine reality. For example, Elijah means the Lord is my God; John or Jehoanan means the Lord’s gift or God is gracious; Jesus or Jesua means God saves. Their entire lives were imbued with a sense of the Divine presence and of His providence.
Honduras is a place where the Gospel lives. While many here still struggle, as we all do, to fulfill the basic precepts of the Gospel, Honduran culture nevertheless reflects that same longing for God that biblical Israel had. Almost every Honduran has a name derived from the Old or New Testament, from a Catholic saint or from a feast or doctrine of the Church. Everything that surrounds our life here reminds us that we live amidst a believing people. For us here in Honduras, God is very near.
Natividad (Nativity) is the father of Jairus (cf. Mk 5:22), one of the boys in our Good Shepherd Catechism class. Natividad had been suffering with a lump on his neck and went to San Benito José for a consultation. After an initial examination, Dr. Carlos Suazo scheduled him to be seen in our upcoming brigade by Dr. James Vopal. Dr. Vopal is a specialist in face, head, and neck surgeries of this type. After Natividad was seen by Dr. Vopal he was scheduled for what seemed to be a routine lumpectomy.
After the surgery the team reported that the case was much more complicated than was first anticipated. The growth was extensive. It had taken root on the patient’s trachea and wrapped itself around his vocal cords. Upon seeing the condition of the tumor, many surgeons would have had said, “Oh boy,” and sought a more experienced surgeon. Dr. Vopal, however, was that more experienced surgeon. Before specializing in head, neck and face, Dr. Vopal had been an oral surgeon - he is a doctor with unparalleled expertise in these cases. He worked tirelessly for hours on Natividad and was pleased with the results of the procedure. Only one concern remained.
Because the growth had attached itself to Natividad’s vocal cords, Dr. Vopal had labored under the fear that his patient’s speech might be impaired or lost. The vocal cords are extremely sensitive; the slightest disturbance to them can be detrimental. The crucial work around Natividad’s vocal cords was extensive. The surgical team had reason for concern.
The team gathered round Natividad in the recovery room to be with him when he awoke.
Br. Paul Donnelly was asked to be present to translate. When he entered the recovery room, Br. Paul was surprised to recognize the still sedated patient. He knew him as the father of Jairus, one of his catechism students; he was a man who loved and cared for his family, teaching them the truths of the faith and to love our Lord. Br. Paul waited anxiously with the team to see if their patient would speak.
As the patient was coming-to, Dr. Vopal prepared Br. Paul: “If he ever speaks again,” he said, “his voice may not be the same. This could be difficult for him.”
Natividad opened his eyes, and fixed his gaze squarely on Br. Paul.
“Fray Pablo,” he rasped. He swallowed hard, and with his voice growing stronger he asked: “Fray Pablo, am I going to die?”
“No, Natividad, you're not going to die, you’re fine,” Br. Paul replied. “You are fine, it’s all over. You are well.”
Overjoyed by this news, Natividad sat up in his bed and leaned forward. The nursing staff with gentle restraint laid him back down. He had wanted to hug Br. Paul. From his prone position Natividad grasped Br. Paul's hand and with a voice clear and true gave thanks to God.
“The Lord is my shepherd, Fray, the Lord is my shepherd. Nothing shall I want.”
God is very near.