I will give you a new heart...

I will give you a new heart

and place a new spirit within you,

taking from your bodies your stony hearts

and giving you natural hearts...

(Ezechial 36:26)

We prayed the above verses during our anticipated Vigils for the Second Sunday of Lent just a few hours after we learned that our volunteer who had received the total artifical heart replacement would be receiving a donor heart that very evening.  To say the least, there were moist eyes and voices that didn't know if they could carry on when we came to these line of text.

The surgery went well and his new heart is doing exactly what it is supposed to:  beating well and strong.  To see the blip go across the monitor and know that it is a real live heart in there beating was a tremendous experience for several of us this afternoon, and we thank God with his family for this gift of life.

We also send out our prayers for the donor and his family who made this gift of life possible.  May you be comforted by our loving Father's embrace and in knowing so many people are grateful for this final gift.