One of today’s most frequent pathologies is spiritual: the pathology of sadness

Pope Francis presided at two different Jubilee of Mercy celebrations last week that were specially dedicated to sick people and those who live with physical and mental disabilities.

Jun 24, 2016

VATICAN: Pope Francis presided at two different Jubilee of Mercy celebrations last week that were specially dedicated to sick people and those who live with physical and mental disabilities.

Both of them were remarkable for a number of things the Pope said.

The first was an audience in Paul VI Hall on June 11 during which Francis put aside his prepared text and did one of his famous question-and-answer sessions.

The thrust of the conversation was how to respond without fear to those who are different, and not discriminate against those with disabilities or exclude them from the Christian community.

“Think of a priest who does not welcome everyone. What advice would the Pope give him?” Francis asked rhetorically before giving this unequivocal answer: “Close the doors of the Church! Either everyone or no one!”

The next day, he presided at Mass in St Peter’s Square where some of the altar servers had Down’s syndrome and people with disabilities did the first two readings.

“In an age when care for one’s body has become an obsession and a big business, anything imperfect has to be hidden away, since it threatens the happiness and serenity of the privileged few and endangers the dominant model,” the Pope said during his homily.

“In some cases, we are even told that it is better to eliminate them as soon as possible, because they become an unacceptable economic burden in time of crisis,” he added.

Pope Francis said we all suffer limitations. Like the woman in the Gospel who was “known to be a sinner,” he said, often that suffering is not physical.

“One of today’s most frequent pathologies is also spiritual. It is a suffering of the heart; it causes sadness for lack of love. It is the pathology of sadness,” he said.

“When we experience disappointment or betrayal in important relationships, we come to realize how vulnerable and defenseless we are. The temptation to become self-absorbed grows stronger and we risk losing life’s greatest opportunity: to love in spite of everything!”

The Pope then made these moving and challenging observations: “The way we experience illness and disability is an index of the love we are ready to offer. The way we face suffering and limitation is the measure of our freedom to give meaning to life’s experiences, even when they strike us as meaningless and unmerited.” -- Global Pulse

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