Over the next two Sundays, as we move toward the beginning of Lent, we see how central the healing ministry was in Jesus’ life and mission. Every February 11, on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Pope writes a special message to all those who are sick or suffering in any way, and to those who care for them. Here is part 1 of Pope Francis 2015 message – part 2 will follow next week!

“Dear Brothers and Sisters: On this, the 23rd World Day of the Sick, I turn to all of you who are burdened by illness and are united in various ways to the flesh of the suffering Christ, as well as to you, professionals and volunteers in the field of health care. This year’s theme invites us to reflect on a phrase from the Book of Job: “I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame” (Job 29:15). I would like to consider this phrase from the perspective of “sapientia cordis” – the wisdom of the heart.

This “wisdom” is no theoretical, abstract knowledge, the product of reasoning. Rather, it is “pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.” (James 3:17) It is a way of seeing things infused by the Holy Spirit in the minds and the hearts of those who are sensitive to the sufferings of their brothers and sisters and who can see in them the image of God. This “wisdom of the heart”, a gift of God, is one of the fruits of the World Day of the Sick.

Wisdom of the heart means serving our brothers and sisters. Job’s words: “I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame”, point to the service which he offered to those in need. His moral grandeur found expression in the help he gave to the poor who sought his help and in his care for orphans and widows. Today, how many Christians show, not only by their words but by lives rooted in a genuine faith, that they are “eyes to the blind” and “feet to the lame”! They are close to the sick in need of constant care and help in washing, dressing and eating. This service, especially when protracted, can become tiring and burdensome. It is relatively easy to help someone for a few days but it is difficult to look after a person for months or even years, in some cases when he or she is no longer capable of expressing gratitude. And yet, what a great path of sanctification this is! In those difficult moments we can rely in a special way on the closeness of the Lord, and we become a special means of support for the Church’s mission.

Wisdom of the heart means being with our brothers and sisters. Time spent with the sick is holy time. It is a way of praising God who conforms us to the image of his Son, who said: “I am among you as one who serves.” With lively faith let us ask the Holy Spirit to grant us the grace to appreciate the value of our often unspoken willingness to spend time with these sisters and brothers who, thanks to our closeness and affection, feel more loved and comforted. Let us be aware of the great lie that lurks behind phrases which so insist on the importance of “quality of life”, that they make people think that lives affected by grave illness are not worth living!”