The Mystery of Illness
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear brothers and sisters a cordial and fraternal greeting to you all and a warm welcome to Fr. William who joins the pastoral care of our parish community.
Today we reflect on the mystery of the sick, the origin of the word “sick”. The one that is “infirmus” (sick) is the one that is not “firm”. This etymology corresponds to sensations that probably all associate with the sick; weakness, helplessness, suffering, anguish, sadness. The Book of Job expresses this sentiment with very vivid images; disappointment, painful nights and nightmares, helplessness before the time is precipitated in a meaningless vortex , intense depression. Jesus appears as the great doctor in today’s Gospel. If the illness leads us to touch the bottom of our weakness, the healing of Christ leads us to experience the “weakness” of God for the weak, for the weakness of God are the weak.
The attention of Christ for the sick has spread in history in various ways and among them let us remember with gratitude the many works of mercy to relieve pain of the world in many ways.
It fits here a relationship with the 2nd reading of Paul with exemplary zeal delivered to evangelize. You feel it as a duty and say: “To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak” (1 Cor 9:22). May God continue to bless you today and always Long live Crist King! Long Live the Virgin Mary!
The Weakness of Pope Francis for the Sick
Pope Francis has said that we must see the sick as “the flesh of Christ” he says especially with gestures
to kiss children that approach and embrace sick. The affection of the Pope with a person who is ill with
boils all over his face and head. Few people dared to touch him but the Pope went to hug him and kiss
him. His gesture reminiscent of St. Francis when he embraces a leper that Pope commented during his
visit to Assisi last October 4.
Pope Francis is completely devoted to those in need. An autistic child did not want to be separated from him during the World Day of Families … an abandoned Columbian child was adopted by an Italian family, two years ago, sits in the chair of the Pope, grabs him and brings people to greet him. Francisco lets him do it. Naomi, a girl of eighteen months, affected by spinal muscular atrophy who is dying. Francisco takes several months comforting her parents, Andrew and Tahereh, living in Chieti two hundred kilometers from Rome … Was brought to Rome so the Pope could see her in person before the expected death. Francisco does
not resigned and asked the general audience for prayers for Naomi.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35c; Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: Gn 1:20 — 2:4a; Ps 8:4-9; Mk 7:1-13
Wednesday: Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30; Mk 7:14-23
Thursday: Gn 2:18-25; Ps 128:1-5; Mk 7:24-30
Friday: Gn 3:1-8; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: Gn 3:9-24; Ps 90:2-6, 12-13; Mk 8:1-10
Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 Cor 10:31 — 11:1; Mk 1:40-45
“[The Lord] can count the number of stars and calls each one by their name.” — Psalm 147:4
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Marriage Day
Tuesday: St. Scholastica
Wednesday: Our Lady of Lourdes; World Day of the Sick
Thursday: Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
Saturday: St. Cyril and St. Methodius; Valentine’s Day