杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

杏MAP导航 Francis prayed the Angelus on Sunday with pilgrims in St. Peter鈥檚 Square, and reflected on the day鈥檚 Gospel (Mk 5:21-42).

The 杏MAP导航 said Jesus encounters two dramatic situations in this passage, which speak to us about death and disease.

鈥淛esus lets Himself be touched by our suffering and our death,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd He works two signs of healing to tell us that neither suffering nor death have the last word.鈥�

Health and affections

Since illness is still at the center of our attention due to the pandemic, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused his remarks especially on the healing of the woman with hemorrhages.

鈥淢ore than her health,鈥� he noted, 鈥渉er affections were compromised: she had blood loss and therefore, according to the mindset of the time, she was deemed impure.鈥�

All this meant that she was marginalized and left without the possibility of a husband or a family. 鈥淪he lived alone, with a wounded heart.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 pointed out that the 鈥渕ost serious illness in life is a lack of love, and not being able to love.鈥�

Useless searching for love

He then reflected on how we can find healing in this story of a nameless woman who represents us all.

She had spent lots of money on various ineffective treatments which only made her condition worse. The 杏MAP导航 lamented that we, too, seek useless remedies for our lack of love, throwing ourselves into vain searches for success and money, even looking online.

But, he added, the woman finally chose to seek direct, physical contact with Jesus.

鈥淭he Lord waits for us to encounter Him,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢o open our hearts to Him, for us, like the woman, to touch His garment in order to heal. Because, by growing in intimacy with Jesus, we are healed in our affections.鈥�

Seeking Jesus鈥� healing gaze

杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out that Jesus responds favorably to the woman鈥檚 touch, seeking her out of the pressing crowd.

鈥淭his is Jesus鈥� gaze: there are many people, but He goes in search of a face and a heart full of faith. He does not look at the whole, but at the individual.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 added that Jesus 鈥渄oes not stop at the wounds and mistakes of the past, but goes beyond sins and prejudices鈥� to reach the heart.

Jesus, he said, heals precisely that woman who had been rejected by everyone, praising her faith and calling her 鈥渄aughter鈥�.

Love alone heals life

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged everyone to 鈥渓et Jesus look at and heal your heart.鈥�

If we have already experienced His gaze, then we should turn to those around us who may feel wounded and alone to show them love.

鈥淛esus asks you for a gaze that does not stop at the outward appearance, but that goes to the heart: a gaze not judgmental, but welcoming,鈥� he said, 鈥淏ecause love alone heals life.鈥�