^~^DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION^~^

Yesterday I  watched the video documentary of Farrah Faucet on hulu.com on her battle against anal cancer. This documentary, I was told, had been aired on NBC last Friday, where apparently there were about almost  9 million viewers who watched the documentary, according to the papers. As I was watching the documentary, it was a very  heart-wrenching video as far as I was concerned. The documentary taught me a lot of lessons about many things.First, it gave me  a better understanding about  the life and pains of  those people who are suffering with the same or similar kind of illness. Second, it made me see about human beings' limitation and capabilities. In spite of the advancement of  technology and science,   man hasnot discovered any known cure for cancer. Billions of dollars are  currently being spent for research and for trying to find a cure for this dreaded disease. But, until today, unfortunately,nothing has been discovered. Scientists and doctors are trying some alternative medicines to cure cancer patients, but these are nothing but experiments.  We pray to God that scientists and researchers will soon discover a cure for this dreaded disease.

We all know Farrah Faucet. She was the golden girl among the three in the famous show called Charlie's Angels. If you watch the video documentary, your heart will cry out for her. In this documentary, it shows the life, pains and struggles of a cancer patient, who is trying to find a cure for her illness. She has availed the services of probably the best doctors in the world. She had seek treatment in Germany. She have had chemo and radiation and all kinds of treatment, including so called alternative treatments. Initially, in the beginning, her treatment seemed to be working out well. Her initial treatment and prognosis in Germany was very positive. She and the people who loved her were so elated and happy. Then, at a later examination,her doctors found out that the cancer has returned, and has metastasized in the liver. She had been treated with all kinds of  treatment, but nothing seemed to be working out now. But the video presents the face of a Farrah who has not given up hope. Her son who was recently jailed was given permission to visit her in their house, maybe to see her for the last time. It was a very movingscene- the encounter of a dying mother and a son - in the documentary. But the documentary ends there, with lot of flashbacks about Farrah's early and joyful life.  What a very moving video.

It was about two years ago when she was told about her illness. From that day forward, her world changed dramatically. Remember, she was a famous actress, adored and loved by her family, and millions of people all over the world.  She was a devoted mother to her son, and loving wife to Ryan O'Neal. She had everything anyone in this world could ever hope for.  And yet,beyond anyone's expectation, when she was diagnosed with this cancer, her worldj ust collapsed upon her. No one could do anything else to reverse the situation,even the best doctors in the world. Now, she is at the verge of her demise. Her family and loved ones could not do anything else but pray for a miracle. Yes, life is so fragile. Our life and everything we have can be taken away from us in an instant. We do not own our life. We are just stewards of God's gifts.

After I watched the video of Farrah Faucet, I started to offer a prayer for her, and for all people who are stricken with the same or similar illness. I know that we can never understand why people suffer in thisway, or why God allows suffering. But I also know that there is a purpose in everything. Just recently a friend of mine wrote me about her struggles, and pains and hopes- as she was also stricken with cancer, so with her husband, and recently, her youngest sister. It broke my heart to hear about their strugglesand pains. But she has not given up hope. She continues to surrender herself  to God's will. I am so amazed by her deep faith and commitment to God. I pray for them constantly.

Now, I also promised myself to pray for Farrah Faucet. I know that millions of people may also be praying for her. But I know and believe that God, in his own good time, will cure her. Let us flood heavens with our prayers. We ask God to cure Farrah Faucet, so that His goodness maybe known to all men. He is a God who loves and cares for us, and that He can do even the impossible.