Vatican City, 7 December 2013: The Church sees in the sick people, a special presence
of the suffering Christ. When the Son of God has gone up on the cross, he has destroyed
the solitude of suffering and has illuminated the darkness. Pope Francis made these
comments in his message for the XXII World Day of the Sick 2014, which has the theme
Faith and charity: "We too must give our lives for the brethren". Focusing on the
sick, caregivers and volunteers, the Pope said: we are placed in this way before the
mystery of God's love for us, that gives us hope and courage, hope, because in the
loving plan of God even on the night of pain is open to the light of Easter, and courage
to face each adversity united to Him.
The Son of God made man has not taken
away disease and suffering from human beings, said the Pontiff, adding, but, taking
them on himself, he has transformed them, and that they no longer have the last word.
In union with Christ we can become positive from negative. Jesus is the way, and with
His Spirit, we can follow him. We too can love others as God has loved us, giving
our lives for our brothers. Faith in the Crucified Christ becomes strength to love
even our enemies till the end. The test of true faith in Christ is the gift of self
to spread the love for one's neighbor, especially for those who do not deserve, those
who suffer, for those who are marginalized.
By virtue of Baptism and Confirmation
we are called to be conformed to Christ, the Good Samaritan of all the suffering.
"In this we know love, in the fact that he gave his life for us: and we ought to lay
down our lives for the brethren". When we approach with tenderness to those who are
in need of care, we bring hope and a smile of God in the contradictions of the world.
When the dedication and generosity towards others becomes the style of our actions,
we make space to the Heart of Christ and thus offering our contribution to the advent
of the Kingdom of God.
To grow in tenderness, charity and sensitivity, we have
a model before us - the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. Driven by the divine mercy,
she forgets herself and walks quickly to see her cousin Elizabeth; intercedes with
her Son at the wedding at Cana, and with fortitude remains at the foot of the Cross
of Jesus. We have confident recourse to her, and she will assist us. She remains
next to crosses and accompanies us on our journey towards the resurrection and full
life.
St. John, the disciple who was with Mary at the foot of the Cross, takes
us back to the sources of faith and charity, to the heart of God who "is love", and
reminds us that we cannot love God if you do not love our brethren. He stands beneath
the Cross with Mary, learn to love like Jesus, is the certainty of the faithful love
of God for us. A great love that enters into our sin and forgives them, enters into
our suffering and gives us the strength to carry it, enters into death in order to
win and save us. The Cross of Christ invites you to leave infected by this love, teaches
us to look at each other with mercy and love, especially those who suffer, those who
need help, concluded the Pope. Source: VR Sedoc