Today is the World Day of the Sick. Pope Francis put out a message about how we can better minister to the sick. Check it out:
Today, 11 February, is the World Day of the Sick.
The day was the initiative of St John Paul II, and occurs annually on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, chosen because of the healing associated with the apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes.
Each year, the Pope writes a message for this day and this year, the theme of Pope Francis’ message is taken from the Book of Job.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame (Job 29:15).
Interestingly, the theme does not refer to Job’s illness, but to Job’s activity as an “upright and blameless” man.
This means that the message is not really a message to the sick, but rather to those who are called to minister to the sick.
That is, it is a message for all of us.
In his letter, Pope Francis uses the theme to give us some insight into what it means to have “wisdom of the heart” when it comes to ministering to the sick.
Serving with patience
The Pope speaks of those who assist the sick in their most basic needs like washing, dressing and eating. He acknowledges that this is a tiresome task, particularly when the need for care is protracted.
He reminds us that charity takes time.
There are so many wonderful examples of people who do this. Those who spend their days working with and caring for the severely disabled or the chronically ill. The parents of children with autism. Children who are the primary carers for parents, and so many more modern-day saints.
Some of us might already do this. Some more of us will be called to do so in the future. Pope Francis tells us that this is a “great path of sanctification”, even though it might not feel like it at the time – such is the providence of God.
Serving without being concerned about productivity – theirs or ours
Pope Francis tells us that “time spent with the sick is holy time”.
Too often, he says, we get caught up in a frenzy of “doing” and place our value on how much we can produce.
But “wasting” our own productivity by spending time with another person who is also “unproductive” is of benefit to us because it helps us to affirm the value of the human person for their own sake, and not for what they can do or what they can produce.
We are often able to affirm the dignity of the person in theory, but staying at their bedside is a way we demonstrate we actually believe that to be true.
It forces us to affirm the dignity of the person – such is the providence of God.
Serving with humility
Pope Francis acknowledges that sometimes, the person being cared for is not capable of expressing gratitude for our service.
But then there is also the service of those who are capable of expressing gratitude, but who are not grateful. This can be the case when a person resents their illness – they often take it out on their carers.
Even so, the Pope tells us we should serve without seeking praise, or even self-satisfaction for our works. Caring for the sick might not be satisfying, particularly if their condition does not improve.
Serving without affirmation, external or internal, conforms us to the image of Christ, Who came not to be served, but to serve – such is the providence of God.
Concluding thoughts
Pope Francis has used his message for World Day of the Sick to call us to be “missionary disciples” of the sick. Let us heed his words and resolve to serve with patience, humility and without concern for productivity.
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