杏MAP导航: 'The sickbed can become a holy place'
By Francesca Merlo
In his homily for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers, taking place on the 5th and 6th of April, 杏MAP导航 Francis drew inspiration from the prophet Isaiah.
In his sermon, which was read aloud by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited the faithful to contemplate the situation of the Israelites in exile: 鈥渋t seemed that all was lost鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said. However, he continued, it was precisely in their moment of trial that a new nation was bring born.
杏MAP导航 Francis compared this experience to the woman in the day's Gospel reading, who had been condemned and ostracised for her sins. Her accusers, ready to cast the first stone, were halted by the quiet authority of Jesus who told her 鈥淕o your way. You are free. You are saved鈥�.
In comparing the stories, 杏MAP导航 Francis says that God does not wait for our lives to be perfect before he intervenes in them. Rather, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥淗e enters into our wounds. He knocks at our door, not despite our suffering, but because of it鈥�.
Illness and care
Turning then to those who are ill and to all those who assist them, the 杏MAP导航 acknowledged the deep suffering that illnesses can bring. 鈥淚t can make us feel like the people in exile鈥� or like the woman in the Gospel,鈥� he said. But, he continued, it can also be a place of encounter, a 鈥渟chool鈥� in which we learn to love and be loved with humility and grace.
杏MAP导航 Francis then reflected on his own illness, and consequent dependence on others, describing it not as a burden but as a lesson in trust, gratitude and hope. 鈥淟et us not push back鈥�, he said, adding: 鈥淟et us allow ourselves to be loved鈥�.
杏MAP导航 Francis then turned to the healthcare professionals, thanking them for their work and encouraging them to receive every patient as an opportunity to renew their sense of humanity. 鈥淭he sickbed can become a holy place,鈥� he said, 鈥渨here charity burns away indifference and gratitude nourishes hope.鈥�
Call to compassion
Bringing his address to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the words of his predecessor 杏MAP导航 Benedict XVI, who reminded the Church that 鈥渢he true measure of humanity is determined in relation to suffering鈥�. A society that turns its back on the weak, he warned, becomes cruel and inhuman.
Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged all those present to resist the temptation to marginalise and forget those who are elderly, ill, or weighed down by the hardships of life. 鈥淟et us not banish suffering from our surroundings,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et us not exclude those who are frail.鈥� Instead, we must allow God鈥檚 love - poured into our hearts - to transform even suffering into a space of communion and growth.
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