Archbishop Machado led the Mass at St Philomena's Hospital. “We are all sick,” he said in his homily, “one way or another. But Jesus is our comfort and our refuge. Jesus invites us all to rest in his hands.”
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore celebrated Mass this morning, feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is also World Day of the Sick. In his homily, he urged the faithful to put their trust in Jesus and find rest in his hands.
The liturgical celebration in St Philomena's Hospital was attended by patients with all kinds of illnesses, including frail elderly and people on wheelchairs (picture 2), as well as nurses, aides, relatives, and Sisters from the Congregation of Jesus Mary and Joseph (JMJ).
The Archbishop praised the work of the nurses and all those who serve in the hospital helping people with infirmities.
“We are all sick,” he said in his homily, “one way or another. But Jesus is our comfort and our refuge. Jesus invites us all to rest in his hands.”
The archbishop focused on the passage in the Book of Isaiah centred on the suffering servant, whilst stressing the importance of perseverance in suffering. He also noted that “Illness, old age and death are inevitable aspects of our life”.
To show his solidarity with the sick and the suffering and as a sign of the pastoral care the Church has for those who suffer, Archbishop Machado celebrated the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (picture 3).
In his Message for today's World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis writes that “Jesus does not make demands of those who endure situations of frailty, suffering and weakness, but offers his mercy and his comforting presence.”
The pontiff also reiterated the Church’s opposition to euthanasia for “life is sacred and belongs to God" and such a practice violates human dignity and fails to respect the human person.
Instead, Francis urges “government leaders throughout the world” to adhere “the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity” so that “efforts will be made to cooperate in ensuring that everyone has access to suitable treatments for preserving and restoring their health.”