The Hand of God Stretched out to Humanity

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at midday when he prayed the Angelus from the window of his study with several thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Yesterday, Feb. 11, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, we observed the World Day of the Sick, which this year had its principal celebrations in Adelaide, Australia, including an international congress on the ever urgent subject of mental health. Illness is a typical feature of the human condition, to the point that it can become its realistic metaphor, as St. Augustine well expresses it in one of his prayers: "Have mercy on me, Lord! Look, I do not hide my wounds from you. You are the doctor, I am the patient; you are merciful, I miserable" ("Confessions," X, 39).

Christ is the true "doctor" of humanity, whom the heavenly Father has sent to the world to cure man, marked in body and spirit by sin and its consequences. Precisely in these Sundays, Mark's Gospel presents Jesus to us who, at the beginning of his public ministry, is completely dedicated to preaching and curing of the sick in the villages of Galilee.

The innumerable miraculous signs he effects with the sick confirm the "good news" of the Kingdom of God. Today's Gospel recounts the cure of a leper and expresses with great effectiveness the intensity of the relationship between God and man, summarized in a wonderful dialogue: "If you will, you can make me clean," says the leper. "I will; be clean," replies Jesus, touching him with his hand and freeing him from leprosy (Mark 1:40-42).

In this passage we see concentrated the whole history of salvation: This gesture of Jesus, who stretches out his hand and touches the sore-ridden body of the person who invokes him, manifests perfectly God's will to cure his fallen creature, restoring life to him "in abundance" (John 10:10), full, happy, eternal life. Christ is "the hand" of God stretched out to humanity so that it can be extricated from the shifting sands of sickness and death, to rise again by leaning on the firm rock of divine love (cf. Psalm 39:2-3).

I would like today to entrust to Mary, "Health of the Sick," especially those in all parts of the world, who not only suffer from lack of health, but also from loneliness, abject poverty and marginalization. I am also thinking in particular of all those who in hospitals or other centers take care of the sick and are dedicated to their cure. May the Holy Virgin help each one to find consolation in body and spirit, thanks to adequate health care and fraternal charity, which becomes concrete care in solidarity.

Notice of Monthly Meeting

Dear Doctors & Spouses,

Please be informed that our Second monthly meeting for the year 2006 will be held on

Date: 9th February 2006 , THURSDAY

Time: 8.00pm

Venue: Bilik Murphy

Fatima Church,

Brickfields. Kuala Lumpur

Speaker: DR STEVEN SELVARAJU

Theme: UNDERSTANDING OUR COMMON VOCATION AND MISSION

God calls each of you, as Catholic doctors, to a specific vocation and mission in the world - to be His Instruments of healing and comfort to people. Even as you try to live out this vocation and mission as doctors, it is important to realise that there is still a more fundamental and basic vocation and mission to which God calls you as baptised Catholics. The -main aim of the talk is to help you understand what this fundamental and basic vocation and mission Is In order that you can live out your vocation and mission as doctors in a more effective way.

Presenter:

Dr. Steven Selvaraju holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with specialisation in Catechetics and Youth Ministry from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. Presently he works at the National Catechetical Office, where he serves as the Project Director of the Malaysian Catechetical Series, a series of local catechisms published by the Bishops' Conference of Malaysia. He also frequently presents seminars/ talks to catechists (Sunday school teachers) in parishes In Malaysia; He has served as a lecturer at the College General- (major seminary) In Penang.

Refreshments will be served.

Please confirm attendance with the Secretary at mobile 012- 2887756 (SMS preferred) or at the office 03-92821721 (please leave your message with Ms Esther).

Dr Gladis H. Lawrence (Hon Secretary)