Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
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 illness, draw near to the Lord. In their encounter with him they can truly experience that he who believes is never alone! God, indeed, in his Son, does not abandon us to our anguish and sufferings, but is close to us, helps us to bear them, and wishes to heal us in the depths of our hearts (cf. Mk 2:1-12).
This excerpt comes from the 2012 address of Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick celebrated each year on February 11, the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. I would encourage you all to look up the entire message. (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/sick/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20091122_world-day-of-the-sick-2010_en.html\
As we pray for all those who bear the cross of illness and/or disability today, let us keep in mind that God has not and will not abandon us in our weakness. The Gospel is a constant reminder of God's care for us enfleshed in the person of Jesus who constantly reminds us that the Kingdom of God is among us. "Fear is useless; what is needed is faith."