Pope: Jesus heals man paralysed by sin
Recalling John Paul II and the encyclical "Deus Caritas Est", Benedict XVI said faith in Christ allows mankind to go forward in justice, peace and holistic development. He expressed solidarity for victims of the landslide in the Philippines.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) Sin prevents humanity from "advancing swiftly" in brotherhood, justice, peace and holistic development. Even if all these values are upheld in "solemn statements", there is something which "blocks the journey". In today's Angelus, taking his queue from the gospel of today's Mass (VII Sunday of Year B), which narrates how a paralytic was healed by Jesus, Benedict XVI said "only Jesus can truly heal" the sick man. "Man, paralysed by sin, needs God's mercy, which Christ came to give him, so that healed in the heart, his entire existence can blossom once again," said the pontiff.
"The paralytic is an image of each human being who is prevented by sin from moving freely, from walking in the path of righteousness, from giving his best. In effect, evil, nestling in the heart, ties man with straps of deceit, anger, envy and other sins, and little by little, paralyses him."
After highlighting all the values upheld in "solemn statements" but betrayed in practice, like brotherhood, justice, peace and development, the pope said: "The Word of God invites us to have an outlook of faith and to trust, like those people who brought the paralytic, that only Jesus can truly bring healing. The core choice of my Predecessors, especially the beloved John Paul II, was to lead the men of our time to Christ the Redeemer so that, through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, they may be restored." When the pope mentioned John Paul II, a long round of applause came from the crowd of more than 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square.
Benedict XVI ended by saying: "I too want to follow this path. In a particular way, with the first encyclical Deus caritas est, I intended to indicate God as the source of authentic love to believers and to the whole world. Only the love of God can renew the heart of man, and paralysed humanity can arise again and walk only if its heart is healed."
Greeting pilgrims after the Angelus, as if to bear out this love which develops into true brotherhood, the pope recalled the landslide tragedy on Leyte Island in the Philippines, calling for prayers for victims and support for those involved in rescue operations. In English, he said: "In a special way our hearts turn to all those suffering the devastating consequences of the landslide in the Philippines. I ask you to join me in praying for the victims, their loved ones and all those affected. May the grieving families experience the consolation of the Lord's presence and rescue workers be assured of our concern and support."
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