A call to care for all people
As we look around our globe there is conflict and unrest in many places: internal unrest in Haiti and Sudan, war between Ukraine and Russia, and most recently the shocking conflict between Hamas and Israel. When a hospital was recently bombed in the Israel-Hamas conflict, as the spiritual leader of Lee Health, I felt compelled to speak up for peace. We are called to be peacemakers amid chaos.
As health care professionals we never expect that our workplace, the place where the wounded, the sick and the vulnerable seek care, comfort and healing will be attacked or bombed. The hospital is a sacred place where all wounded people are welcomed and accepted.
We embrace our call to care for all people. So, whenever a hospital door opens health care professionals around the world see the humanity in each hurting, wounded and bruised person. We recognize their sacred worth and accept our duty to treat each person with respect and compassion.
So, I ask that you join me in speaking out for peace. I invite you to join me in being a Peacemaker. Today, I invite you to join me in the prayer I say daily that is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, Let me sow love.”
May the Holy One bless health care professionals everywhere, especially those in war zones and places of conflict and unrest.
Denise Sawyer is the system director of Spiritual Services for Lee Health.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: A call to care for all people
