Pope Francis invites believers to overcome prejudices and the fear of becoming involved in the lives of others and to follow the example of Jesus who shares our wounds and heals our lives.
By Linda Bordoni
Reflect on the Gospel reading of the day (Mark 1: 40-45), Pope Francis spoke about how the Lord approached us, broke down every barrier and touched our lives to heal it.
During the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the pope recalled the day of the Gospel reading, which tells of the encounter between Jesus and the sick man who had leprosy.
He noted that lepers were considered unclean and were marginalized according to the precepts of the law and excluded from all human, social and religious relations.
But Jesus, said the pope, allowed the man to draw near to him, until he reached out and touched his hand.
This is how He fulfills the Good News that He preaches: God has come closer to our lives, He is merciful to the fate of wounded mankind and comes to break down every barrier that prevents us from being in relationship with Him, with others to be. and with ourselves, ”the pope said.
Two “offenses”
Pope Francis explained that in this episode the apostle highlights two ‘transgressions’:
“The first transgression is that of the leper,” he said, “despite the precepts of the law, he comes out of his isolation and goes to Jesus.”
He explained that the disease of man is considered a divine punishment, but ‘in Jesus he can see another aspect of God: not the God who punishes, but the Father of compassion and love who frees us from sin and we never exclude. out of His grace. ”
The sick man, the pope continued, is thus able to emerge from his isolation, for in Jesus he finds God who shares his pain.
“The second transgression is that of Jesus: although the law forbade touching lepers, he was moved, stretched out his hand and touched him to heal him. He does not limit himself to words, but touches him, ‘he explained.
To touch with love, Pope Francis continued, means ‘to establish a relationship, to have fellowship, to get involved in another person’s life, even to the point of sharing their wounds.’
With the gesture, he said, Jesus reveals that God is not indifferent, does not keep Himself at a “safe distance”: “He comes closer out of compassion and touches our lives to heal it with tenderness.”
The pope said, “This is God’s ‘style’: closeness, compassion and tenderness: the ‘transgression’ of God. In this sense, He is a great transgressor.”
Do not be afraid of “contamination”
Because of the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters in the world today suffer from marginalization and exclusion due to social stigmas, the Pope invited believers to break down these barriers and get involved in their lives.
He said that Jesus tells us that God ‘is not an idea or an abstract doctrine, but the One who pollute Himself with our human injury and is not afraid to come in contact with our wounds. “The pope urged Christians to go beyond selfishness, calculations, or fear that would prevent them from engaging in the suffering of others.
Instead, he said, let us ask the Lord for the grace to find the courage to emerge from our isolation and self-control, and to open our hearts to a love that goes beyond conventions, that prejudices overcoming and the fear of getting involved in the lives of others. ‘
Pope Francis concluded: “Let us learn to be ‘transgressors’ like these two: like the leper and like Jesus.”