杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

鈥淏y His compassionate closeness, Jesus showed the infinite love of God our Father for His children most in need.鈥�

That was the model 杏MAP导航 Francis held out to members of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associates (FIAMC), in his address to delegates on Saturday morning.

Jesus, said the 杏MAP导航, showed compassionate concern for the sick, leading the early Christian community to call Him a 鈥減hysician鈥�.

He drew near to the sick and disabled, who were often marginalized by their contemporaries as sinners.

鈥淐are for the sick emerges, then, as an essential aspect of Christ鈥檚 mission and, consequently, of the Church鈥檚 mission as well,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis.

Draw near to patients

The 鈥渨ay鈥� that Jesus cared for the sick is instructive for doctors and nurses of all ages, he said.

That manner involved 鈥渄rawing near to the person鈥�, despite societal norms. Jesus, the 杏MAP导航 noted, even asks the patient 鈥淲hat do you want me to do for you?鈥�, entering into a dialogue and beginning 鈥渁 process of relief, consolation, reconciliation, and healing.鈥�

鈥淲hen care is given with genuine love for the other, it expands the horizons of the recipient, for human beings are a unity: a unity of spirit, soul and body.鈥�

Care for whole person

杏MAP导航 Francis said Jesus healed the whole person, even 鈥渞aising up and sending forth those whom He has drawn near to and healed.鈥�

Many of Jesus鈥� patients even became His disciples.

Catholic medical professionals, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渁re called to provide care with sensitivity and with respect for the dignity and for the physical and psychological integrity of each person.鈥�

He also urged them to make their caregiving more humane by listening attentively, offering encouragement and comfort, and giving hope.

Respect for life

杏MAP导航 Francis recognized that the last 100 years have seen tremendous progress in medical research and treatments. 鈥淲e can and should alleviate suffering,鈥� he said, adding that this also means teaching people to care more about their own health.

The Holy Father said caring for others 鈥渆ntails respect for the gift of life from beginning to end.鈥�

鈥淔or we are not masters of life,鈥� he noted. 鈥淚t is given to us in trust, and physicians stand at its service.鈥�

Spiritual renewal

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 urged Catholic physicians to unite professionalism, teamwork, and ethical integrity for the benefit of all patients.

And he invited them to read the Bible and receive the Sacraments frequently.

鈥淭he Holy Spirit will grant you the gift of discernment needed to confront sensitive and complex situations, and to say the right things in the right way and to be silent in the right moments.鈥�