Pope at audience: learn to see Christ in poor and
outcast
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis
welcomed a group of refugees to join him on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica as
he held his weekly general audience on Wednesday. After greeting the thousands
of pilgrims and visitors gathered in the summer sunshine, the Pope focused his
reflections on the Gospel story of the leper who was healed by Jesus as a sign
of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
In Jesus’ day, lepers were
considered unclean and outcasts, from the temple and from society, yet the man
who begs him to be made clean is not afraid to break the law and come into the
city. Pope Francis noted that Jesus also breaks the law by touching the leper
to heal him, teaching us not to be afraid to reach out and touch the poor and
needy in our midst.
The man’s simple words,
“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean”, show that we don’t need long
speeches, the Pope said, but only a few words and strong faith in the Lord’s
goodness and mercy. Pope Francis revealed that he himself prays those same
simple words at bedtime every night, urging his listeners to do the same.
Jesus is profoundly touched
by the man as he stretches out his hand to him, the Pope said, and we must
learn to reach out and touch those most in need. It is not enough to be
generous with our money but we must learn to see Christ himself in the poor and
outcast. Noting the refugees who were sitting alongside him, Pope Francis said
many people think they should have stayed at home yet they were suffering so
much there. Please, he begged, they are our brothers and as Christians, we must
not exclude anyone!
After healing the leper,
Jesus tells him to show himself to the priest and make an offering as a proof of
his purification. The Pope said this attitude shows that we should not seek
sensationalism but that we too should bear witness to the healing power of
Jesus.
The Lord invites each of us
to think honestly about our own needs, he said and to ask for his healing
touch. Like the leper, may we turn to Jesus in faith and let our lives
bear witness to his gifts of mercy, forgiveness and spiritual rebirth.
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