Dear Brothers and Sisters, Together with Pope Benedict, I am grateful for the leaders and carers of Mercy Health and to all of you at Mercy Place. I wish to renew my spiritual nearness to all the sick, who are in places of care, who are looked after in their families, expressing to each one of them the affection of the Holy Church. In sickness we follow the example of Christ, who bent down before the material and spiritual sufferings of human beings in order to heal them. Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. HOMILY Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am deeply honoured to be with you as together we celebrate the 20th World Day of Prayer for the Sick, recalling the wonderful healing that comes from Lourdes and which is given us in the Sacraments of the Church. The Gospels we read at Mass last Sunday and next Sunday show the power of Jesus healing the sick. Christ is the true doctor of humanity, whom the Heavenly Father sent into the world to heal us because we are marked in body and mind by sin and its consequences. The countless healings and signs which Our Lord used confirm the healing power of the Gospel. Jesus offers us life in abundance, eternal life full and happy. He is the hand of God stretched out to humanity to rescue us from illness and death so that we can stand on the firm rock of divine love. Pope Benedict urges us to make good use of the Sacraments of Healing, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick "so as to encounter the love that forgives and transforms". (Benedict XVI, Message) In our own time we have known the wonderful healings that the Lord has worked through the intercession of his Blessed Mother at Lourdes. This is why the 11th February has become the World Day of the Sick because she who is "health of the sick" prays incessantly for those who are sick, lonely, poor or marginalised, in hospital and requiring health care or assistance in the needs of older age. The encounter of Jesus with the ten lepers, narrated by the Gospel of Saint Luke (cf. Lk 17:11-19), and in particular the words that the Lord addresses to one of them, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you" (v. 19), help us to become aware of the importance of faith for those who, burdened by suffering and by illness, draw near to the Lord. In their encounter with him they can truly experience that the one who believes is never alone! God, indeed, in His Son, does not abandon us to our anguish and suffering, but is near to us, helps us to bear them, and wishes to heal us in the depths of our hearts. (cf. Mk 2:1-12) With the powerful intercession of Our Lady we can come to Jesus knowing that we will find wholeness, that through the assistance of medical care we will be brought to healing and comfort, but above all by knowing that Jesus is near and loving the prayers of his Blessed Mother we will come to see that if we are invited to share through suffering in the passion of the Lord then he will provide whatever is needful for a healing of spirit and comfort and strength. As regards the 'Sacraments of Healing', Saint Augustine affirms: 'God heals all your infirmities. Do not be afraid, therefore, all your infirmities will be healed ... You must only allow Him to cure you and you must not reject His hands'. (Exposition on Psalm 102, 5; PL 36, 1319-1320) Today, my dear friends, I offer this Mass for you and I thank you for your courageous witness in old age and suffering. May you always know that the Lord is near. May Our Lady continue to pray constantly for you as "health of the sick", that the Lord Jesus will give you strength, courage and grace, as I ask the Lord to bless and sustain you on your journey, offering this Mass for you, your needs, your intentions and for those who care for you so well. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, prayer for us. + Denis J. Hart, ARCHBISHOP OF MELBOURNE. |
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