World Cancer Day: the Arms of Christ

Today is World Cancer Day. A day to remember the millions of people afflicted by some form of the illness. In fact, nobody's life is untouched by some form of this disease. Whether it is a father-in-law with Leukemia, an aunt with breast cancer, a mother with melanoma -- maybe you are yourself dealing with cancer -- all of us are affected.

But for all the uncertainty in dealing with such a painful, potentially deadly affliction, we can know two things for sure: that our Savior understands our suffering, and that His people are people of prayer and of care.

We don't always know why some people have to deal with this disease while others are seemingly untouched. The fact is, some of the best, most faithful people I know have been afflicted with some form or another of cancer. People who I know don't deserve it. But we know our God is faithful. He cares for those with cancer, and we -- His children -- are His hands and feet and arms.

Have you encouraged somebody with cancer today? Have you given a hug to somebody who needs it? Brought food to somebody too sick to get up and get it?

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:31-40)