Today’s Gospel reminds us of the compassion of Jesus and his gift as a healer.
In Jesus’ day the sick were considered unclean and were isolated. And yet he crossed the barrier to heal and make whole, and to tell them of the love of God. Today, the advances of science and medical knowledge bring healing in a way that people of Jesus’ day could probably never imagine. We are called to be compassionate healers and to reach out even if its to touch and hold a hand. We would like to share the following prayer service adapted from the U.S. Catholic Health Association to celebrate the World Day of the Sick.
February 11, 2010
Since 1992, Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI have called the Church to raise its awareness of the faith community’s role in the work of health care. Pope Benedict’s message is one of raising awareness to the importance of pastoral service in the vast world of health care.” For Catholic health care, pastoral service shapes the nature of the clinical service we offer with attention to the whole person, body, mind and spirit.
This day also coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Lourdes is a place of hope, a symbol of the promise of healing offered by Jesus. We pray in solidarity with those who are sick and those who serve the sick around the world. We renew our commitment to heal as Jesus healed.
Reading from the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37) (annotated)
There was a law scholar who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him. “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
But to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest was going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise, a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his donkey, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper saying, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than these 2 coins, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim? He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
After a moment of silence:, a brief reflection by Pope Benedict XVI.
“At the end of the parable, Jesus said: “Go and do likewise.” He is also addressing us. Jesus exhorts us to bend over the physical and mental wounds of so many of our brothers and sisters whom we meet on the highways of the world. He helps us to understand that with God’s grace, accepted and lived out in our daily life, the experience of sickness and suffering can become hope. In truth, as I said in the Encyclical Spe salvi, ‘it is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love’.(n. 37)” - from the Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the Eighteenth World Day of the Sick
Blessing
Leader: May the God of all consolation bless you in every way and grant you peace. All: Lord, bless your people.
Leader: May God free you from all anxiety and strengthen your hearts in love. All: Lord, bless your people.
Leader: May God enrich you with gifts of faith, hope and love, keeping you close even in the midst of illness.
All: Lord, bless your people.
Prayers of Petition
Let us now continue our prayer for the sick who are with us, and for the needs of people around the world.
Together with people around the world who suffer from famine, poor housing and lack of clean water, we pray that their governments, aided by developed nations, will work to address their basic human needs, we pray… All: Loving God, strengthen your people.
For doctors, nurses and other professional caregivers everywhere, that they will remain committed to their role as healers and supported in their chosen vocation, we pray… All: Loving God, strengthen your people.
For the President and Congress as they work for health care reform, that their work may be guided by true concern for the least among us and rooted in true justice for all, we pray… All: Loving God, strengthen your people.
For pastoral care chaplains who are symbols of God’s healing touch among us, that they continue to be a gentle presence to patients, families and staff, we pray… All: Loving God, strengthen your people.
For all communities of faith in our area, that they see us as an extension of their ministry, a holy place of healing, and a support for their service to others, we pray… All: Loving God, strengthen your people.
On this Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes we pray that Mary, help of the sick, will remain for us a model of compassion and generous response to those in need, we pray… All: Loving God, strengthen your people.
Closing Prayer
Gentle and loving God, we thank you for this gathering today. We stand in solidarity with people around the world, all part of your creation. We stand with healers and those in need of healing. Bless our work. Confirm in us our commitment to be good help for the sick and hope for all who suffer in any way. We ask this of you, our creator, our healer, our hope, now and forever, Amen.
Tags: health care, Lourdes, nurses, Pope Benedict XVI, Prayer, World Day of Prayer for the Sick
