Pope's Sunday 'Angelus' on Jesus healing the sick

(February 9, 2009) Jesus' healing ministry is continued in the Church through the sacraments, the charity of the community and an understanding of the meaning and value of illness, Pope Benedict XVI said on Sunday. Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square before reciting the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer, the Pope spoke about the Gospel account of Jesus curing many sick people, stating that "it invites us once again to reflect on the meaning and value of illness in every situation in which the human being can find himself." Referring to the upcoming World Day of the Sick on Wednesday, the Pope said, "Despite the fact that illness is part of human existence, we never manage to get used to it, not only because sometimes it comes to be burdensome and grave, but essentially because we are made for life, for complete life." "When we are tested by sickness and our prayers seem in vain, doubt wells up in us and, filled with anguish, we ask ourselves: What is God's will?" The answer, said the Holy Father, is found in the Gospel. God - whose face Jesus Himself revealed - is the God of life, who frees us from all evil. "The signs of this, his power of love are the healings that he carries out – restoring men and women to their full integrity in spirit and body." More importantly, he said, we "understand that man's truest and deepest illness is the absence of God, who is the fount of truth and love."
After praying the ‘Angelus’ Pope Benedict invited Catholics worldwide to unite with their brothers in faith in Madagascar in praying for peace at this difficult time of conflict in the country. He drew attention to the situation of the island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa, where he said “strong political tensions are taking place … which have also provoked popular disturbances.” The bishops of the island nation had observed Sunday as a day of prayer for national reconciliation and social justice. The previous day, Saturday, at least 28 people were dead and more than 200 wounded by security forces following anti-government demonstrations. Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina who is leading the protests, accuses president Marc Ravalomanana of misuse of public funds and violation of the constitution, and has called for his immediate dismissal. The bishops of the country have been trying for days to mediate between both parties. Pope Benedict invited all to join the Catholics of Madagascar to entrust to the Lord those who have died in the manifestations and to invoke from him…. the return of harmony of thought, social tranquility and civil co-existence."