Pope: Doing works of mercy, of more benefit to ourselves than others

At the General Audience Francis speaks of visiting the sick and prisoners. "Illness deepens peoples experience of that loneliness which runs through much of our life." "Whatever a prisoner may have done, he is still loved by God. Who can enter in the depths of their conscience to understand what they are feeling? Who can understand their pain and remorse? It is too easy to wash our hands saying that they have done wrong. "

 

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Sharing with people who are sick or in prison to become an instrument of mercy, following the example of Jesus, who devoted a special place to the sick and who experienced prison.

This was the topic of Pope Francis’ catechesis for the general audience on works of mercy. He said that carrying these out would actually  "do more good for us than to others because mercy passes through a gesture, a word, a visit and this mercy is an act that restores joy and dignity to those who have lost it."

"Jesus’ life –he told 40 thousand people in St. Peter's Square - especially in the three years of his public ministry, was an incessant meeting with people. Among these, he had a special place for the sick. How many pages of the Gospels tell us of these meetings! The lame, the blind, the lepers, the possessed, the epileptic, and countless sick of all kinds ... Jesus became close to each one of them and healed them with his presence and his healing power. Therefore, works of mercy cannot leave out the call to visit and assist the sick ".

"Along with this we can also add that of being close to the people who are in prison. In fact, both the sick and prisoners experience a condition that limits their freedom. And it is only when we no longer have this that we realize how precious it is! Jesus gave us the opportunity to be free of disease despite the limitations and restrictions. He gives us the freedom that comes from the encounter with him and the new sense that this meeting brings to our personal situation. "

"With these works of mercy the Lord invites us to an act of great humanity: sharing. Remember this word: sharing! Those who are sick, often feel alone. We cannot hide that, especially today, how illness deepens peoples experience of that loneliness which runs through much of our life. A visit can make people feel less lonely and a little 'company is good medicine for the sick person! A smile, a caress, a handshake these are all simple gestures, but just as important for those who feel abandoned to themselves. How many people are dedicated to visiting the sick in hospitals or in their homes! It is priceless volunteer work. When done in the name of the Lord, then it also becomes eloquent and effective expression of mercy. Do not leave sick people alone! Do not prevent them from finding relief, and ourselves from being enriched by being close to those who suffer. Hospitals are now 'cathedrals of pain' true, where, however, the strength of charity that supports and has compassion also becomes evident. "

"By the same token, I think of those who are locked up in prison. Neither did Jesus forget them. By including visiting prisoners among the works of mercy, he wanted to invite us, first of all, not to hold court over anyone. Of course, if one is in jail, it is because they were wrong, they did not comply with the law or civil coexistence. Thus in prison, they are serving their sentence. But whatever a  prisoner may have done, they are still loved by God. Who can enter in the depths of their conscience to understand what ? Who can understand their pain and remorse? It is too easy to wash our hands saying that they are wrong. A Christian is called rather to take charge, because those who did wrong to include the evil done and returns in himself. The lack of freedom is undoubtedly one of the greatest hardships for the human being. If added to this is the deterioration in the conditions often devoid of humanity in which these people find themselves living, then it is indeed the case in which a Christian feels led to do everything to restore their dignity. Visiting people in prison is a work of mercy that especially today is of particular value given the various forms of justicialism to which we are subjected. So no one should point the finger at others. Rather we should all be instruments of mercy, with attitudes of sharing and respect. I often think of those in prison. I often think about them. I carry them in my heart. I wonder what led them to commit a crime and how they could succumb to different forms of evil. Yet, along with these thoughts I feel that they all require closeness and tenderness because the mercy of God works wonders. How many tears I've seen on prisoners cheeks who perhaps had never wept in their lives; and this only because they felt welcomed and loved. "

"And do not forget that Jesus and the apostles experienced prison. In the stories of the Passion we know the suffering to which the Lord was subjected: captured, dragged like a criminal, mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns ... He, the only Innocent! And Saint Peter and Saint Paul were imprisoned. Last Sunday - that was the Sunday of the Jubilee of Prisoners - in the afternoon a group of Paduan prisoners came to see me. I asked them what they would do the next day, before returning to Padua. They told me: 'We will go to the Mamertine prison to share the experience of St. Paul'. ... It's nice to feel this was good for me. These prisoners wanted to find the prisoner Paul. It's a nice thing. They did well. "
 
"And even there, in prison, they prayed and preached. The page in the Acts of the Apostles which speaks of Paul’s imprisonment is moving to, he was lonely and wanted some friends to visit him (cf. 2 Tm 4.9 to 15). He felt alone because the vast majority had left him alone ... the great Paul. "

"These works of mercy, as we see, are ancient, yet timeless. Jesus left what he was doing to go and visit Peter's mother-in-law; an ancient work of charity. Jesus did it. Let us not become indifferent, but instruments of God's mercy. We can all be instruments of God's mercy and this will do more good for us than others because mercy passes through a gesture, a word, a visit and this mercy , is an act to restoring joy and dignity to those who have lost it. "

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