Our Lady of Lourdes
Tuesday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
World Day of the Sick 2025
First reading Genesis 1:20-2:4
On this World Day of the Sick, as we reflect on the creation account from Genesis, we are reminded that humanity is uniquely fashioned in the image of God. This divine imprint is not only a gift but also a call to responsibility. If God, out of love, created the world and entrusted it to us, then our stewardship must extend beyond mere care for the environment—it must embrace care for one another, especially the most vulnerable. The sick, the weak, and the suffering bear a special place in God’s heart, and in them, we encounter the face of Christ. Our Lady of Lourdes, whose intercession is sought by so many who suffer, points us to this truth: compassion is not an option but a duty. In tending to the sick, we honor both the Creator and the sacredness of life itself, living out the love in which we were made. As Pope Francis reminds us in his message for this day, “Suffering always brings with it a mysterious promise of salvation, for it makes us experience the closeness and reality of God’s consoling presence”. With our closeness to those who suffer, we can be part of that divine presence. In recognizing the image of God in every person, especially the sick and the suffering, how can I become a more compassionate presence in their lives, reflecting God’s love through my actions and care?
Don Giorgio