The Calling

Providing Comfort (Chapter 2)

    As the final hymn was sung, James left the altar. He entered the sacristy once again and sat himself on a small wooden bench. He pondered over the course the day would take. At that moment, Thomas entered the room. ‘Good sermon that was Father James’ he said happily. ‘Thank You’ James replied as he removed his robes. James did like receiving compliments, although he preferred them to be aimed at his physical looks - something he hadn’t heard in months. Thomas left the room to begin his other priestly work while James exited the church in order to catch the first bus of the day. The bus station - the only one in the village was a half a kilometer away. With his stomach rumbling due to the emptiness, James hurried along the road as he did not want to miss the bus. If he did, he’d have to wait an hour for the next one. As the sunlight began to fall over the countryside, James felt more positive as he left the village behind. Upon arriving at the bus station which was actually just a bench and a bus schedule list, James saw the bus coming into view. As it stopped, he got in and took a seat at the rear. He was glad it was almost empty as dealing with annoying passengers would certainly spoil his somewhat cheerful mood.

     Arriving at the hospital an hour later, James got off the bus and entered the building. He loved how hospitals operated. He also loved the caring and warm attitude of the doctors and nurses in it. Although a church is supposed to be the embodiment of love and care, his surely wasn’t. The hospital felt better.

     ‘Ahh, Father James!’ exclaimed Dictus - the chief doctor at the hospital. ‘What a surprise to see you! You never fail to visit’. ‘How could I?’ replied James. ‘How could I’ echoed through James’ head as he said it. He would do anything to spend time away from the church at this point; even if it meant dealing with almost-dying patients. ‘We’ve got a new patient we’d like you to see’ said Dictus. ‘She was injured in a car crash a week ago and has since been very emotional as she lost her husband in it’. ‘No problem’ James replied as he walked through the chlorine smelling corridors of the hospital. Upon entering the ward, James saw an old, feeble woman lying in her bed. She looked up at James and noticed his white collar. ‘Are you a priest?’ she asked even though it was quite obvious. ‘Yes, I am’ said James as he looked at the woman with pity. She was connected to numerous beeping machines at her bedside that monitored various conditions and was what probably kept her alive James imagined. ‘Why are you here?’ she asked. ‘No particular reason’ he replied. ‘Just to spread comfort and Gods word’ he then mentioned - something he actually needed in his own life. ‘Where was God when my husband was killed?’ she asked with sudden rage. ‘Where was He when the truck came hurtling down on the wrong side of the road and slammed into our car?’ she asked again as tears began to pour down her face. She seemed angry but also emotionally destroyed on the inside, apart from the physical injuries.

       James sat on a chair beside her and explained that things happen according to God’s will. He told her how she was being tested by Him and that she must carry on with strength. He then read a psalm from the Bible which he normally read to all the patients he met. James was a firm believer in God himself. He never questioned the Bible or the church’s teachings. But now since his life had become stale in Drumaness, he wondered if being a priest was what he was made to do. He still did not doubt God’s existence though and had no trouble explaining to the old woman that God still loves and cares for her. After twenty minutes of deep talk involving God’s will and normal life, James left the woman’s ward. She was now more emotionally fit than previously.

      Dictus then asked James to visit the orphans as he always did every time he visited the hospital. James naturally obliged and met with them. James liked kids. He liked the happiness and joy that filled their lives. And this bunch had no parents and no one to love except the hospital staff, yet they seemed quite optimistic about life ahead.  After an hour or so of pure excitement that filled everyone in the room including James and the nurses, James had to say goodbye. He had to be home for the evening mass. He did not look forward to it. He liked serving mass, although he wished the congregation were more enthusiastic and ‘alive’.