I have set before you life and death…

Just a quick round-up on Terri’s case. LaShawn Barber points us to the latest update (Greer’s stay). Scroll down a bit to see her very helpful list of bloggers who have been with this story from the start.

I wonder what Judge Greer is feeling right now…he’s had this case before him for a very long time, and he issues yet another stay. Could be he’s just covering his rear. Could be he’s feeling reluctance, at this 11th hour, to condemn this woman to death. Starving an innocent has got to weigh heavily on one’s soul. You gotta do the right thing, Judge.

Musing Minds is passionately following this case, and Lorie at polipundit points us toward Bernard Higgins at A Certain Slant of Light who has some links discerning whether there is any more Gov. Jeb Bush can do in this case.

In the end, all the workings of man are limited, but there is one means by which man can plug into the power of the Infinite and Eternal – and that is through prayer. When the apostles came to Jesus with a particularly powerful demon they said to him, “we tried to release this demon in your name, as we have with the others, but we have failed,” and Jesus said, “the defeat of this particular demon requires prayer and fasting.”

In this time of Lent let us join fasting to our prayers for Terri Schiavo and her family, and for Judge Greer, because our prayer must be enlarging and charitable – because charity is Love and Love is God – and so that the Holy Spirit may work through every available means.

The eyes of all wait upon thee
and thou givest them their meat in due season
Thou openest thine hands, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing

Lord, at whose command the sands of our lives run fast or slow, the one you love is sick, and she and her family need your healing touch and saving grace, and so save all your people, Lord. Save your daughter Terri, her family and the Judge in whose hands so great a responsibility lies. Save your creature, Michael, named for your greatest angel, that his heart might be turned toward the appreciation of life as you teach it in the body and form of Terri. Save your servant Gov. John Ellis Bush and guide him to right action. Save your servants who turn to you with trusting hearts and beg your mercy and intervention. You have promised that where two or more are gathered in your name, you will dwell. Dwell now with us, and bring your wisdom. You have promised that whoever asks for a loaf of bread will not be given a stone, and so we ask your favor and blessing, on behalf of Terri, that her life may be spared. But not our wills, but yours be done, we pray in the name of Christ at Gethsemane.

Lane Core, reasoning – quite rightly – that the turning of Michael Schiavo’s heart will save Terri’s life, and will serve as powerful witness of the unending mercy and tenderness of the Almighty, has written a very good Novena on behalf of Michael Schiavo. I will be starting it tonight. Lane points out that Terri could live for up to 14 days after the feeding tubes are removed, so it is never ‘too late’ to begin. And for all of our evangelical friends who are uncomfortable with the idea of useing a Catholic means of prayer, maybe Lane’s novena prayer could be useful as a “jumping off” point! :-) A novena is simply nine days of intense prayer. Hattip for the Novena to the Catholic Carnival at Deo Omnis Gloria. And Leo Wong has created a beautiful Java Cross for Terri.