How does the church feel about sick people? Also fat people?

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katpants

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I’ve had many a cold shoulder from the Protestants…who think I am making up my illnesses…or some random stuff that it’s “an attack from the devil”. :confused: .

I have so many medical issues, it’s insane for me being 31. Glaucoma, fibromyalgia, IBD, erosive lichen planus, asthma, photosensitive eczema, rosacea, pelvic floor disorder coupled with vulvodynia, insane food allergies along with chronic dry eye issues…

These are all medically diagnosed and all. Am I too sick to be in the church?

All the medications (corticosteroids ahoy!) make me tired and chunky. People are instantly thinking that I’m lazy…I’m not lazy! I take care of a husband with severe anxiety disorder, family issues that would make Jerry Springer Show seem civilized :eek:, you name it. I’m exhausted but try to get through the day as best I can. I cook healthy and clean as time and my fibromyalgia permit.

I’m not a charity case and I worry the Church might see me this way :confused:…like I remember many Protestants were like “she wants something!!!”…no…I want fellowship and to be able to love our Lord as best I can.

I didn’t feel judgment when I went to Mass which was wonderful but I was the only fat lady there…everyone was really nice and everything…very respectful to each other.

I wonder is there a place for really sick people?

Thanks!

Kat
 
Do you know the catfish story?

The Story of the Catfish
Let me tell you a story of the cod fish. At the turn of the century cod fish were in much demand on the east coast. News of this tasty fish spread across the country all the way to the west coast. There was however a problem. How could they get the fish across the country and still keep it fresh. They tried to freeze the fish and send it by rail, the fastest means at the time. When it was prepared it turn out to be very mushy and lacked flavor. Then someone decided to ship the fish live turning railroad cars into huge saltwater aquariums. When the cod fish arrived they were still alive but when they were prepared they were still mushy and tasteless. After studying the cod fish someone discovered that their natural enemy was the catfish. This time when the cod fish were but in the tanks they place a few catfish in with them. Those catfish chased the cod fish all the way across the country to the west coast. This time when they were prepared they were flaky and had the same flavor as they did when they were caught fresh and prepared on the east coast. You see the catfish kept the cod from becoming stale. The catfish kept them fresh. (from Runrandall blogspot)

They are the cod, you are the catfish.🙂 You are always welcome in the Church.
 
The Church loves those who are sick …and yes the Church loves “fat people” too!
 
Take care of your health, but good grief, don’t worry about your weight except as it relates to your health. And know, no matter what, you are welcome in the Church.
 
Of course the sick are welcome in the Church! The Church even celebrates a World Day of the Sick every year (on February 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes—a place where many sick are healed).

Why some of us seem to have more physical ailments than others isn’t always easy to understand, but we all have our crosses to carry. The Church wants to give us the grace to carry our cross, not kick us to the curb for having one. If that were the case, we’d all be in trouble!

Be at peace. God loves you and the Church welcomes you.
 
Welcome. The Church is open to everyone. The most awesome people in our Pastoral area are not the fittest or healthiest, they are the ones who make the greatest efforts for the community - it is so humbling.
 
The church is a good place for the sick, unless you need to be in hospital. Christ is there to comfort you and the rest of us. As far as worrying about your size? The wierdest thing is, I sometimes notice that a person is fat in the street, day to day sort of thing, but when I’m at Mass or in the church at other times, I know there are very overweight people there, but they don’t register with me as being fat. It’s at church where a true brotherly/sisterly love comes naturally and size, shape, hair colour, skin colour, accent, fashion sense, etc. etc. just doesn’t come across. We are all part of Christ’s body. Be at ease in the presence of Our Lord in the tabernacle and with those around you.
 
Katpants, nothing you have going on is contagious! So of course, there is a place for you at church! 🙂 last time I checked, being “fat” wasn’t contagious either. No one knows your family life or how clean your house is unless you tell them. But even if they knew? There is still a place for you at church!

So come as you are, and relax. No one is judging you. Enjoy the mass and love God with the Catholcs surrounding you on Sunday!
 
Irishmom2 said:
Katpants, nothing you have going on is contagious! So of course, there is a place for you at church! 🙂 last time I checked, being “fat” wasn’t contagious either. No one knows your family life or how clean your house is unless you tell them. But even if they knew? There is still a place for you at church!

So come as you are, and relax. No one is judging you. Enjoy the mass and love God with the Catholcs surrounding you on Sunday!
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👍
 
Thanks everyone!! I really appreciate this, especially today! 🙂 God bless you all! :)!!

Kat
 
There are many saints and other holy people who were fat. St. Thomas Aquinas, who had to have a half moon carved out of the refectory table to accommodate his girth comes to mind.
Popes Benedict XIV and John XXIII were also fat. G.K. Chesterton was a 300 pounder, though I also understand he was very tall.
My parish priest is a person of size. While I wouldn’t say he’s morbidly obese, I will say that when he grinds out a cigarette with his shoe, that sucker is out.

People really don’t notice overweight people like they used to, probably because it’s so much more common these days. I marvel at how many of them I see in the area where I live. Not just individuals, but whole families; one kid bigger than the next. Ever been to the lunch buffet at Golden Corral? Some of the patrons there attain a truly remarkable size.

Regarding the sick, I was reminded of a passage in the Diary of St. Faustina, entry 1311.

She writes about a sister on the kneeler next to her who is constantly coughing and clearing her throat, and how difficult it was to meditate with this distraction. She is tempted to move away from her but she is also concerned that this nun would notice and might feel hurt, so she offers this act of patience to God and stays put.
Just before she finishes, she writes that suddenly her soul was flooded with God’s consolation, as much as her heart could bear, and the Lord let her know that if she moved away from the sister, she also would have moved away from those graces that flowed into her soul at that moment.

In other words, being around the sick can be a moment of grace for us. The Diary is chock full of little insights like this.
 
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