Pope Francis' Advice to Doctors "in the light of the Word of God" with 3 "important attitudes of this journey" FULL TEXT
.png)
SPEECH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE DELEGATION OF DOCTORS AND THE SICK,
ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD SICK DAY
Clementine Hall
Thursday, February 9, 2023
________________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!
I thank Dr. Edith Aldama for the words she addressed to me on behalf of your area of commitment, an expression of the health pastoral care of the Diocese of Rome. And I thank Bishops Paolo Ricciardi and Benoni Ambarus, and all those who collaborate in this area.
We meet in the context of the World Day of the Sick, which this year, in the context of the synodal process, has as its theme the evangelical motto "Take care of him" (Lk 10:35). These are the words that, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. Lk 10:25-37), the good Samaritan addresses to the innkeeper, to whom he entrusts the wounded man whom he himself has helped. Let's think back to this scene: there is a man who has been attacked by brigands and is lying on the side of the road; the indifference and insensitivity of passers-by make him excluded, ignored. At one point one stops and helps him: he is a Samaritan. On closer inspection, both the attacked man and the Samaritan bear wounds: the first has those produced by the violence of whoever robbed him, the second has those inflicted by the contemptuous eyes of those who see in him only an unwanted foreigner. And yet, thanks to the sensitivity of those who suffer for those who suffer, a story of solidarity and hope was born from their meeting [1] that breaks down the walls of isolation and fear.
Your work, dear friends, was born thanks to this dynamic: from having been able to transform the experience of suffering into closeness to the pain of others, overcoming the temptation to withdraw, raising your head, bending your knees and extending your hands. With you, therefore, I would like to underline, in the light of the Word of God, three important attitudes of this journey: first, to be close to those who suffer; second, give voice to unheard suffering; third, to become an enthralling ferment of charity.
First of all, let us remember how important it is to be close to those who suffer, offering listening, love and acceptance. But to do this we must learn to see, in the pain of our brother, a "sign of precedence", which in the depths of our hearts forces us to stop and does not allow us to go any further. This is a sensitivity that increases the more we allow ourselves to be involved in the encounter with those who suffer. And walking together like this helps all of us to grasp the truest meaning of life, which is love.
It is also important to give voice to the unheard suffering of those who, in illness, are left alone, without financial and moral support, easily exposed to despair and loss of faith, as can happen to those suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic pain . We launch a challenge to our cities, sometimes deserted by humanity and deaf to compassion. Yes, many times our societies are like this. We welcome the cry of those who suffer and make sure that it is heard. Let's not leave it shut up in a room, nor let it simply become "news": let's make room for it within us and amplify it with our personal and concrete involvement.
And we come to the third attitude: being a leaven of charity means "networking". How? Simply by sharing a style of gratuitousness and reciprocity, because we are all in need and we can all give and receive something, even just a smile. And this causes a "network" to grow around us that does not capture but frees, a network made up of hands that clasp each other, of arms that work together, of hearts that unite in prayer and compassion. Even in the midst of the most violent waves, this net widens but does not break, and allows those who risk being submerged and drowning to be dragged ashore. And let us not forget that the example of those who take the initiative also helps others to find the courage to get involved, as demonstrated by your presence here: sick people, health workers and those from the world of sport, united in a common commitment for the good of people. Networking is working together as members of one body (see 1 Cor 12:12-27). The suffering of one becomes the suffering of all, and the contribution of each is welcomed by all as a blessing.
Dear friends, being close to those in pain is not easy, you know it well. For this I tell you: do not be discouraged! And if you encounter obstacles or misunderstandings, look your suffering brother or sister in the eye and remember the words of the Good Samaritan: "Take care of him". In that face it is Jesus himself who looks at you, He who wanted to share our weakness, our fragility to the point of dying for us and who, risen, never abandons us! It is in Him that we find the strength not to give up, even in the most difficult moments.
The last word is for you, sick brothers and sisters. It is your suffering lived with faith, which has brought us together here today, to share this important moment. In fragility you are close to the heart of God. Understanding fragility, caressing fragility, comforting fragility: this is the path we must take. For this reason, I ask you sick people for your prayers, so that closeness to those who suffer and concrete commitment to charity may grow among us, and that no cry of pain will no longer go unheard. From my heart I bless all of you, I bless your work and your pastoral commitment. And please don't forget to pray for me. Thank you!
TO THE DELEGATION OF DOCTORS AND THE SICK,
ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD SICK DAY
Clementine Hall
Thursday, February 9, 2023
________________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!
I thank Dr. Edith Aldama for the words she addressed to me on behalf of your area of commitment, an expression of the health pastoral care of the Diocese of Rome. And I thank Bishops Paolo Ricciardi and Benoni Ambarus, and all those who collaborate in this area.
We meet in the context of the World Day of the Sick, which this year, in the context of the synodal process, has as its theme the evangelical motto "Take care of him" (Lk 10:35). These are the words that, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. Lk 10:25-37), the good Samaritan addresses to the innkeeper, to whom he entrusts the wounded man whom he himself has helped. Let's think back to this scene: there is a man who has been attacked by brigands and is lying on the side of the road; the indifference and insensitivity of passers-by make him excluded, ignored. At one point one stops and helps him: he is a Samaritan. On closer inspection, both the attacked man and the Samaritan bear wounds: the first has those produced by the violence of whoever robbed him, the second has those inflicted by the contemptuous eyes of those who see in him only an unwanted foreigner. And yet, thanks to the sensitivity of those who suffer for those who suffer, a story of solidarity and hope was born from their meeting [1] that breaks down the walls of isolation and fear.
Your work, dear friends, was born thanks to this dynamic: from having been able to transform the experience of suffering into closeness to the pain of others, overcoming the temptation to withdraw, raising your head, bending your knees and extending your hands. With you, therefore, I would like to underline, in the light of the Word of God, three important attitudes of this journey: first, to be close to those who suffer; second, give voice to unheard suffering; third, to become an enthralling ferment of charity.
First of all, let us remember how important it is to be close to those who suffer, offering listening, love and acceptance. But to do this we must learn to see, in the pain of our brother, a "sign of precedence", which in the depths of our hearts forces us to stop and does not allow us to go any further. This is a sensitivity that increases the more we allow ourselves to be involved in the encounter with those who suffer. And walking together like this helps all of us to grasp the truest meaning of life, which is love.
It is also important to give voice to the unheard suffering of those who, in illness, are left alone, without financial and moral support, easily exposed to despair and loss of faith, as can happen to those suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic pain . We launch a challenge to our cities, sometimes deserted by humanity and deaf to compassion. Yes, many times our societies are like this. We welcome the cry of those who suffer and make sure that it is heard. Let's not leave it shut up in a room, nor let it simply become "news": let's make room for it within us and amplify it with our personal and concrete involvement.
And we come to the third attitude: being a leaven of charity means "networking". How? Simply by sharing a style of gratuitousness and reciprocity, because we are all in need and we can all give and receive something, even just a smile. And this causes a "network" to grow around us that does not capture but frees, a network made up of hands that clasp each other, of arms that work together, of hearts that unite in prayer and compassion. Even in the midst of the most violent waves, this net widens but does not break, and allows those who risk being submerged and drowning to be dragged ashore. And let us not forget that the example of those who take the initiative also helps others to find the courage to get involved, as demonstrated by your presence here: sick people, health workers and those from the world of sport, united in a common commitment for the good of people. Networking is working together as members of one body (see 1 Cor 12:12-27). The suffering of one becomes the suffering of all, and the contribution of each is welcomed by all as a blessing.
Dear friends, being close to those in pain is not easy, you know it well. For this I tell you: do not be discouraged! And if you encounter obstacles or misunderstandings, look your suffering brother or sister in the eye and remember the words of the Good Samaritan: "Take care of him". In that face it is Jesus himself who looks at you, He who wanted to share our weakness, our fragility to the point of dying for us and who, risen, never abandons us! It is in Him that we find the strength not to give up, even in the most difficult moments.
The last word is for you, sick brothers and sisters. It is your suffering lived with faith, which has brought us together here today, to share this important moment. In fragility you are close to the heart of God. Understanding fragility, caressing fragility, comforting fragility: this is the path we must take. For this reason, I ask you sick people for your prayers, so that closeness to those who suffer and concrete commitment to charity may grow among us, and that no cry of pain will no longer go unheard. From my heart I bless all of you, I bless your work and your pastoral commitment. And please don't forget to pray for me. Thank you!
Source: Vatican.va
Comments