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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus
Message
On True Healing
"What a Treasure Is Hidden in the Little Phrase 'Thank You'"
H.H. Benedict XVI
October 14, 2007
www.zenit.org
Dear brothers and sisters!
The Gospel from this Sunday presents Jesus curing 10 lepers, of whom
only one, a Samaritan, and thus a foreigner, returns to give thanks
(cf. Luke 17:11-19). The Lord says, "Rise and go on your way; your
faith has saved you" (Luke 17:19).
This Gospel passage invites us to a double reflection. Above all, it
makes us think of two levels of healing: one that is more
superficial, affecting the body; another, more profound, reaching
the depths of a person, that which the Bible calls the "heart," and
from there, irradiating to all of existence.
The complete and radical healing is "salvation." Even in common
language, the distinction between "health" and "salvation" helps us
to understand that salvation is much more that health. It is, in
fact, a new life, full and definitive. Moreover, here, as in other
circumstances, Jesus uses the expression, "Your faith has saved
you." Faith saves the human person, re-establishing him in his
profound relationship with God, with himself, and with others. And
faith is expressed with appreciation. He who, like the healed
Samaritan, knows how to give thanks, shows that he does not consider
everything as something which is merited, but instead as a gift
that, even if it comes through people or through nature, in the end,
comes from God. Faith involves, then, the openness of the person to
the grace of the Lord; to recognize that all is gift, all is grace.
What a treasure is hidden in the little phrase "thank you!"
Jesus cures 10 people sick with leprosy, a sickness in that time
considered a "contagious impurity," which required a rite of
purification (cf. Leviticus 14:1-37). In reality, the leprosy that
truly disfigures the person and society is sin; pride and egotism
give birth in the spirit to indifference, hate and violence. Only
God, who is Love, can cure this leprosy of the spirit, which
disfigures the face of humanity. Upon opening the heart to God, the
converted person is healed interiorly of evil.
"Repent and believe in the Gospel" (cf. Mark 1:15). Jesus made this
invitation at the beginning of his public life, and it continues to
resound in the Church, to the point that even the Blessed Virgin in
her apparitions, especially in recent times, has renewed this call.
Today we think especially of Fatima, where, precisely 90 years ago,
from May 13 to Oct. 13, 1917, the Virgin appeared to three little
shepherds: Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. Thanks to a television
connection, I want to make myself spiritually present in that Marian
shrine, where Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state, has in
my name presided over the concluding ceremonies of such an important
anniversary.
I cordially greet him, and the other cardinals and bishops present,
the priests that work in the shrine and the pilgrims who have come
from every part of the world for this occasion. We ask the Blessed
Virgin for the gift of conversion for all Christians, so that they
may announce and give a faithful and coherent witness to the
perennial evangelical message, which indicates to humanity the path
to an authentic peace.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After the Angelus, the Pope greeted the pilgrims in various
languages. In English, he said:]
I warmly welcome the English-speaking visitors present at this
Angelus. In today’s Gospel our Lord takes pity on the lepers,
cleansing them of their infirmities and reminding us all of his
desire to heal those who suffer. During your time in Rome may God
bless you with the saving power of his peace and love.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[In Italian, the Pope added:]
Serious news of attacks and violence continues to arrive daily from
Iraq, shaking the conscience of all people who have the good of that
country and the peace of the region at heart. Among this news, I
learned today of the kidnapping of two good priests of the Syrian
Catholic archdiocese of Mosul, who have been threatened with death.
I appeal to the kidnappers to release the two religious immediately
and, in underlining once again that violence does not resolve
tensions, I raise to the Lord a heartfelt prayer for their
liberation, for all those suffering from violence, and for peace.
[Translation by ZENIT]
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