Most Rev Donald Sproxton
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth
I was fortunate, indeed, to have had a wonderful guide when I last visited Rome. He took me to the site of the Imperial Senate building, the epicentre of the Roman Empire. He was more interested to show me the remains of an ancient Christian hospice, on one side of the hill.
This hospice is believed to have operated in the fifth and sixth centuries. An early Christian community gathered at the site and gave the sick a place of refuge, healing and comfort. Most who came had very serious diseases that caused physical, mental and even social suffering. This effort to provide a place and the best care for the sick belongs to a great Christian tradition that continues today.
Pope Benedict has given a message to the Church for the World Day of the Sick. He states that the Church intends to carry out a farreaching operation, namely, to continue to be there as a servant to those who suffer from any disease. The ever-present need for the Christian to stand by and serve the sick is to make up what is lacking in the ministry of Christ himself. We are co-workers in the saving mission of Christ.
The Gospel of St Luke, the physician, contains an outstanding statement that reveals the mind of Christ regarding the mission and ministry to the sick. It is the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Holy Father described the response made by the Samaritan. “He saw the man who was robbed, beaten and left for dead, and had compassion. He went to him, bound up his wounds, pouring on the medicine of oil and wine, and took him to the Inn and made sure he was cared for by providing for his care and keep”.
Jesus addresses us at the end of the parable, “Go and do the same”.
Pope Benedict uses a beautiful image that expresses the care and compassion of the Samaritan and all health care givers ever since. He emphasised that health care givers and, particularly, Catholic health care givers are called to ‘bend over’ the physical and mental wounds of those who suffer, as we offer care and support and companionship to the sick.
Here, in the Archdiocese of Perth, we are fortunate to have two excellent health care systems, St John of God and Mercycare, that are prepared to ‘bend over’, that is, take the trouble and give practical care and support to those suffering from all manner of illnesses.
All who are working in health care – the medical and nursing professionals, the clinic personnel, the receptionists at the front counter – are called to serve the sick, to bend over and offer love and understanding.
Our service is enhanced by our own experience. Whenever we seek to serve the sick we must draw on our own effort, with the help of God’s grace, to accept and live out the experience of sickness and suffering. Pope Benedict calls this experience as being ‘schooled in hope’.
“It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love” (Spe salvi 37).
Twenty five years ago, the Catholic Church established the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. The Council is an additional sign of the Church’s commitment and involvement in the world of health care.
Whether it has been the fifth century, the ninth century, 15th or 21st century, the consistent taking up of the challenge to “do the same yourself” can be observed in Christ’s disciples.
In our moment of history and culture, there is even greater need for Christians to be attentive and to stand beside the sick. We need to be even more conspicuous in society so that we can pass on the Gospel values that honour and protect human life in all its phases, from conception to its natural end (Message, World Day of Sick 2010). Following the Mass, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Gratefully, we accept this wonderful Sacrament of Christ the Healer.
Jesus foresaw the need for His continual healing presence in the world, and the Sacrament has been confided to the Church so that it may offer the strength the sick need.
Sickness, and death itself, pose great threats to the faith and hope of any person.
Through the Anointing of the Sick, the strength and power of the Risen Christ is made available to the sick person.
May our celebration of the Mass today and the Anointing bring the special comfort, peace and courage to the sick who gathered with us.
May they feel that Christ stands besides them, and that the Church is standing with them in prayer and solidarity.
Representatives from the various fields of health care attended the Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent at St Mary’s Cathedral to pray for their work and for the sick.
Dr Michael Shanahan had suggested that the Archdiocese might join in the celebrations this year for the 25th Anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. Bishop Donald Sproxton presided at the Mass.
The special feature of the occasion was the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Immediately following the Mass, the many people present who were seriously ill were invited to receive the anointing and the prayers of the congregation to support and strengthen them.