It is humbling to realize how childish – or perhaps childlike – one's conception of God is. In my ministry as a sister over the years I had reassured those struck by tragedy that their loss had nothing to do with how good or bad they had been. Now I found myself saying to God: "I have worked so hard for you; how dare you allow this to happen?" The challenge was two-fold: not only to get angry at God, but also to accept my anger. Was it God's will that I get breast cancer? I don't believe that. Yet I had an inkling that dealing with cancer would somehow link me with the many who are drawn in some mysterious fashion into Christ's passion...

When I committed myself years ago to follow Jesus Christ, how could I have known that confronting this evil – for cancer is that, make no mistake about it – would itself constitute an invitation to die and rise with Him? I am discovering that, as Dylan Thomas said: "After the first death, there is no other." The unexpected bursts of gratitude that invade me are moments of resurrection. I can honestly say to God: I want to live in the present moment. Help me to do so. Like the paralytic, I rely upon the prayer of others. I still have panic attacks at the possibility of recurrence. But these pass, for I realize that God does not want me to live in anxiety. Jesus said to me at my worst moments: "Take my strength." Now I hear him asking me each morning: "Do you want to be healed?"

The testimony from Sister Regina Griffin, R.S.C.J., can be read here.

A good testimony. I hope those who have struggled with illness and received a healing will share with us. It is the testimonies that let us know how God is working in the lives of others.