The incarnate Son of God did
not remove illness and suffering from human experience but by taking them upon
himself he transformed them and gave them new meaning. New meaning because they
no longer have the last word which, instead, is new and abundant life;
transformed them, because in union with Christ they need no longer be negative
but positive. Jesus is the way, and with his Spirit we can follow him. Just as
the Father gave us the Son out of love, and the Son gave himself to us out of
the same love, so we too can love others as God has loved us, giving our lives
for one another. Faith in God becomes goodness, faith in the crucified Christ
becomes the strength to love to the end, even our enemies. The proof of
authentic faith in Christ is self-giving and the spreading of love for our
neighbours, especially for those who do not merit it, for the suffering and for
the marginalized.
By virtue of Baptism and Confirmation we are
called to conform ourselves to Christ, who is the Good Samaritan for all who
suffer. “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought
to lay down our lives for one another” (1 Jn 3:16). When we draw near with tender love to those in need of
care, we bring hope and God’s smile to the contradictions of the world. When
generous devotion to others becomes the hallmark of our actions, we give way to
the Heart of Christ and bask in its warmth, and thus contribute to the coming
of God’s Kingdom.
From the MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 22nd WORLD DAY OF THE SICK 2014
