Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma officiates the Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral as part of the commemoration of the 24th World Day of the Sick. (CDNPHOTO/SAMMY NAVAJA)
Suffering caused by physical ailments and disabilities should encourage everyone to turn to Jesus for healing and comfort.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma pointed this out in his homily as the Catholic Church yesterday marked the 24rd World Day of the Sick and the 158th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France.
At least 200 sick people—some wheelchair-bound—went to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Cebu City to attend the 10 a.m. Mass which ended with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Masses for the sick and the elderly were also held in other churches in the Cebu Archdiocese.
“Why is there suffering all over the the world? Sometimes we wonder why do we get sick despite our efforts to be healthy. Questions like these should lead us to Jesus,” Palma told the congregation in his homily.
The World Day of the Sick was instituted by St. John Paul II in 2002, just a year after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Palma said sufferings and illnesses are occasions to strengthen one’s faith and to share in Jesus’ salvific passion and death on the cross.
“More often, we ask for physical healing. But perhaps it would be better if we also seek spiritual and moral healing. Nothing is wasted in suffering because we share in the sufferings of Jesus,” he said.
Palma encouraged the sick to take refuge in the Blessed Virgin Mary
“We have a merciful mother who sees our needs like what she did in Cana (in Galilee),” the prelate said, alluding to how Jesus performed his first recorded miracle in Cana in Galilee upon the request of His mother.
Palma lauded people and sectors who continue to care for the sick and the elderly.
“We thank the organizations and communities who care for the sick. We call to mind the services of a son to a sick mother and the husband to a wife. We acknowledge the services and sacrifices of caregivers, doctors, and nurses, who in the name of love, care for the sick, knowing that Jesus (who is present in sick people) deserve such care and affection,” he said.
After communion, Palma carried the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance and blessed the faithful.
“It is not easy to take care of sick people. But if there is love in our hearts, we can joyfully serve them through our services, skills, and time. We care for one another in sickness and in health,” he said.