Pope reflects on caring for the sick
At the Angelus prayer this Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI looked forward to the coming World Day of the Sick, marked on the 11th of this month, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Pope recalled how God is opposed “to the power of radical evil.” Indeed, the Lord, “takes care of people in every situation, He shares their suffering, opening up the heart to hope.”
The Pope concluded with an exhortation to health care workers, on occasion of Italy’s Day for Life, that they might recognize in the patient not only a body signed by frailty, but before all else a person.
In his reflection on the Sunday Gospel, the Holy Father talked about the symbolism of salt and light, saying that Christ’s disciples called both give the world “flavour” and to preserve it from corruption, with the wisdom of God, which shines fully through the face of the Son.
Pope Benedict urged everyone, “to spread light and love of God throughout the darkness of selfishness and indifference – to spread true wisdom that gives meaning to the being and the activity of men.”
It was a theme to which he returned in his English-language remarks to the gathered faithful:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to make our light shine before others, to the praise of our Father in heaven. May the light of Christ purify all our thoughts and actions. As the Church celebrates the World Day of the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, may that same light bring hope and healing to those who are ill. Upon you and your loved ones, I invoke the blessings of Almighty God.
Listen to Chris Altieri's report:
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