Do you have a concerned heart that you can share with others?
Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt. 5:7).
“For I was ill and you cared for me… Whatever you did for one of these least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt. 25:36, 40).
“As a chaplain to the fire service, sometimes it is a ministry of caring for another, walking with another, being with another who is suffering with, or just feeling bad. Care is compassion. It is claiming the truth that the other person is my brother or sister, human, mortal, vulnerable” (Henri Nouwen).
Ministers of Care will tell you that they receive more than they ever give. It is truly a blessing to be present, to listen, to pray and bring Christ to those who are suffering physical and mental stress.
There are many kinds of illnesses that one can be exposed to, I work with those who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) My ministry as Fire chaplain is one filled with prayer, visiting and being there in the good times and the bad times. Good ministry equals good presence at all times.
The ministry is a calling to walk with those who care for others no matter what the emergency can fill a firefighter with horrific scenes that may take sometimes years to heal themselves from the experience.
It is very difficult for firefighters to go from being a firefighter on duty for twenty four hours and then to return home and try to be normal.
Spouses, children and other members of the family and friends have no idea what their firefighter as experienced. As chaplain it is my privilege to walk with these awesome men and women and to help them understand that they are loved and cared for.
If I don’t have the answer I will always try my best to fined one for the problem that is being experienced by each firefighter. Please continue to pray for me and for all our first responders.
Some people ask me, “who takes care of you (Brother Ed) when your down and out” sometimes my Franciscan brothers, but when it comes to firefighting life, my other brothers the firefighters are my to go to when things go down. We help each other as family.
Thank you for your prayers and continue them each day!
Brother Ed Arambasich, O.F.M.