Pope's general prayer intention for May

In the month of May, Pope Francis is urging Christians to join him in praying that rejecting the culture of indifference, we may care for our neighbors who suffer, especially the sick and the poor.  In his Message for Lent this year, Pope Francis wrote: “Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others: we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure. Our heart grows cold.” He warned that this selfish attitude of indifference today has taken on global proportions. Last Tuesday he said that poverty is the great teaching Jesus gave us and we can find his face among the poor and needy. Stressing that the poor are not a burden but a resource, he wished that society and Church could be more attentive, caring and considerate towards those in need and that Christians could kneel before a poor person.  Honestly, we feel insecure in the presence of the poor and the sick an invasion into our security and comfort.  Instead, Pope Francis says we can learn a lot of lessons from the poor, such as their resilience and sharing the little they have with others.  He also said the sick reminds him of the uncertainty of his own life and his dependence on God and his neighbors.  He has often hit out against the culture of indifference, calling it to be replaced by the culture of encounter and solidarity.  Let’s therefore join Pope Francis this month of May in praying that people everywhere may reject the culture of indifference and care for our suffering neighbours, especially the sick and the poor.