Your Field Hospital

"We need to go forth from our own communities and be bold enough to go to the existential outskirts that need to feel the closeness of God. He abandons no one, and he always shows his unfailing tenderness and mercy; this, therefore, is what we need to take to all people."
Pope Francis

Over the years, Pope Francis has referred to the Church as a field hospital. Perhaps due to watching far too many episodes of MASH reruns late at night, this image greatly appeals to me. On the show, the surgeons, nurses, and even the Catholic chaplain not only tend to the patients that arrive at the 4077th by ambulance or helicopter, but some of the most poignant episodes are those where they leave the compound and go out to help those outside the relative safety of the hospital unit.

Much of this week we have reflected on visiting the ill - mentally and physically ill - but let us not forget those who are suffering spiritually. These individuals who are seeking to fill that God-sized hole, as St. Augustine put it, often try so many other ways to fill that immense cavern in their souls. As people of faith, we are challenged in this Year of Mercy to take the Good News, the joy, the love, the hope of God to all people.

Where might there be an existential outskirt that you are called to take God's love?

Who might be suffering in spirit in your life? How can you comfort them?