The 28th World Day of the Sick is celebrated today February11, commemorating feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Because, on this day in 1858 the “Lady” appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, who under her instructions, dug a small hole from which water gushed forth, to confirm the apparitions of the “Lady”.
The theme of this year’s observance is “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” Mt. 11:28. Pope Francis in his message urges human warmth and personalised approach of Christ, the Good Samaritan, in healthcare professionals, workers and volunteers.
This message in a pathetic situation like ‘Wuhan coronavirus’ reassures and brings solace. Christ’s words of solidarity comfort and hope, the Pope explains, is for the many simple people, the poor, the sick, sinners, those who are marginalised by the burden of the law and the oppressive social system… The mercy and comforting presence of Jesus, he says, embraces people in their entirety, each person in his or her health condition, discarding no one, but rather inviting everyone to share in His life and to experience His tender love.
The Pope elucidates that Jesus does so because He Himself became frail, endured human suffering and received comfort from His Father; only those who personally experience suffering, are able to comfort others.
The Pope notes that sometimes human warmth is lacking to those suffering incurable and chronic diseases, psychological diseases, situations calling for rehabilitation or palliative care, numerous forms of disability, etc. “What is needed is a personalised approach to the sick, not just of curing but also of caring, in view of an integral human healing.” He says, “Christ did not give us prescriptions, but through His passion, death and resurrection He frees us from the grip of evil.”
The Holy Father acknowledges the key role the healthcare workers play in caring for the sick with their own frailties and illnesses and in serving the ill, says healthcare professionals that “the noun ‘person’ takes priority over the adjective ‘sick’. He urges them to “always strive to promote the dignity and life of each person, and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness.”
The Pope laments that during wars and violent conflicts, healthcare professionals and facilities are attacked, and in some areas, political authorities attempt to manipulate medical care for their own advantage. Noting that many across the world have “no access to medical care because they live in poverty”, the Pope urges healthcare institutions and govt leaders not to neglect social justice.
People around the world take time to pray for the sick and for those who work hard to alleviate the sufferings of the sick on this day. Faith organisations mark this day especially to provide the sick with medicines, food, and spiritual guidance. St John Paul II initiated the day in 1992 to encourage people to pray for those suffering from illness and for their caregivers and it is considered that his own illness was impetus for his designation of the day.
