"In God we ask to be healed from our problems, from practical needs, and it is right, but what we crave is a faith that is stronger, so that the Lord renew our lives, and a firm trust in His love, His providence, that He will not abandon us". This is how Benedict XVI summarized the message of today's Sunday Gospel (Mk 5.21 to 43) at the Angelus, which tells of Jesus healing of two women: the daughter of Jairus and the woman suffering from hemorrhages.
"These two stories of healing - added the pope - is an invitation for us to overcome a purely horizontal and materialistic life." "These are two episodes - he explained - in which there are two levels of interpretation; the purely physical: Jesus bows over human suffering and heals the body; and the spiritual: Jesus came to heal the human heart, to give the salvation and asks for faith in Him. In the first episode, in fact, on hearing that the daughter of Jairus was dead, Jesus says to the head of the synagogue, "Do not worry, just keep the faith" (v. 36), he brings him to where the girl was and exclaims: " Little girl, I say to you, arise!" (v. 41). And she got up and walked. St. Jerome comments on these words emphasizing the saving power of Jesus: "Little girl, arise for me: not thanks to you, but for my grace. Arise, therefore, for me: the fact of being cured does not depend on your virtue "(Homilies on the Gospel of Mark, 3). The second episode, that of the bleeding woman re-emphasizes how Jesus came to liberate the human being as a whole. Indeed, the miracle takes place in two phases: the first is the physical healing, but this is closely tied to deeper healing, that which gives God's grace to those who are open to Him in faith. Jesus says to the woman, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go 'in peace and be healed of your disease" (Mk 5.34). "
"Jesus who is attentive to human suffering - then added the pontiff - also reminds us of all those who help the sick to carry their crosses, in particular physicians, health professionals and those who provide pastoral care in homes. They are "reserves of love," which bear serenity and hope to the suffering. In the Encyclical Deus caritas est, I observed that, in this invaluable service, you must first be professionally competent - it is a primary, fundamental requirement - but this alone is not enough. They are, in fact, human beings, who need the attention of our humanity and heart. "Therefore, in addition to professional training, these workers also need charity, and above all the" formation "should be led to that encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others "(n. 31).
We ask the Virgin Mary to accompany our journey of faith and our commitment to practical love especially to those in need, as we invoke her maternal intercession for our brothers and sisters who live a pain in the body or in spirit. "
From 3 July, the Pope moves to Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest. In this period all private audiences are suspended. The Wednesday general audience - suspended in July - will resume from Wednesday, August 1 at Castel Gandolfo. Throughout the summer, however, the Angelus on Sundays and feast days will be celebrated in Castel Gandolfo.
"These two stories of healing - added the pope - is an invitation for us to overcome a purely horizontal and materialistic life." "These are two episodes - he explained - in which there are two levels of interpretation; the purely physical: Jesus bows over human suffering and heals the body; and the spiritual: Jesus came to heal the human heart, to give the salvation and asks for faith in Him. In the first episode, in fact, on hearing that the daughter of Jairus was dead, Jesus says to the head of the synagogue, "Do not worry, just keep the faith" (v. 36), he brings him to where the girl was and exclaims: " Little girl, I say to you, arise!" (v. 41). And she got up and walked. St. Jerome comments on these words emphasizing the saving power of Jesus: "Little girl, arise for me: not thanks to you, but for my grace. Arise, therefore, for me: the fact of being cured does not depend on your virtue "(Homilies on the Gospel of Mark, 3). The second episode, that of the bleeding woman re-emphasizes how Jesus came to liberate the human being as a whole. Indeed, the miracle takes place in two phases: the first is the physical healing, but this is closely tied to deeper healing, that which gives God's grace to those who are open to Him in faith. Jesus says to the woman, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go 'in peace and be healed of your disease" (Mk 5.34). "
"Jesus who is attentive to human suffering - then added the pontiff - also reminds us of all those who help the sick to carry their crosses, in particular physicians, health professionals and those who provide pastoral care in homes. They are "reserves of love," which bear serenity and hope to the suffering. In the Encyclical Deus caritas est, I observed that, in this invaluable service, you must first be professionally competent - it is a primary, fundamental requirement - but this alone is not enough. They are, in fact, human beings, who need the attention of our humanity and heart. "Therefore, in addition to professional training, these workers also need charity, and above all the" formation "should be led to that encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others "(n. 31).
We ask the Virgin Mary to accompany our journey of faith and our commitment to practical love especially to those in need, as we invoke her maternal intercession for our brothers and sisters who live a pain in the body or in spirit. "
From 3 July, the Pope moves to Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest. In this period all private audiences are suspended. The Wednesday general audience - suspended in July - will resume from Wednesday, August 1 at Castel Gandolfo. Throughout the summer, however, the Angelus on Sundays and feast days will be celebrated in Castel Gandolfo.