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Pope’s Message for World Day of the Sick 2025
"Hope does not disappoint" (Rom 5:5), but strengthens us in times of trial.
Dear brothers and sisters,
We are celebrating the 33rd World Day of the Sick in the Jubilee Year 2025, in which the Church invites us to become "pilgrims of hope". The Word of God accompanies us and offers us, in the words of Saint Paul, an encouraging message: "Hope does not disappoint" (Rom 5:5); indeed, it strengthens us in times of trial.
These are comforting words, but they can also prove perplexing, especially for those who are suffering. How can we be strong, for example, when our bodies are prey to severe, debilitating illnesses that require costly treatment that we may not be able to afford? How can we show strength when, in addition to our own sufferings, we see those of our loved ones who support us, yet feel powerless to help us? In these situations, we sense our need for a strength greater than our own. We realise that we need God's help, His grace, His Providence, and the strength that is the gift of His Spirit (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1808).
Let us stop for a moment to reflect on how God remains close to those who are suffering in three particular ways: through encounter, gift and sharing.
1. Encounter. When Jesus sent the seventy-two disciples out on mission (cf. Lk 10:1-9), he told them to proclaim to the sick: "The kingdom of God has come near to you" (v. 9). He asks them, in other words, to help the sick to see their infirmity, however painful and incomprehensible it may be, as an opportunity to encounter the Lord. In times of illness, we sense our human frailty on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels. Yet we also experience the closeness and compassion of God, who, in Jesus, shared in our human suffering. God does not abandon us, and often amazes us by granting us a strength that we never expected, and would never have found on our own.
A tribute to His Grace, Archbishop John Rodrigues
A tribute on behalf of the College of Consultors, Archdiocese of Bombay
We were indeed happy to hear of your appointment as Co-adjutor Archbishop to the Archdiocese of Bombay (with right to succession) on January 23, 2025. The very next day, our joy knew no bounds, when Cardinal Oswald Gracias joyfully announced the news that Pope Francis had released that you would take charge as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay. His Eminence too often referred to you as a priest of promise who would render yeoman service to the people of God.
As the etymology of your name JOHN (Yohanan in Hebrew) means, 'God is gracious', you are God's gift to the Church in Bombay. Even the dynamic translation of your last name Rodrigues signifies you are a generous giver, and God loves a generous giver, and we too. In your ministry of service in priesthood or as a former auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, you have been a blessing to us.
Jubilee Journey for mental and Emotional Wellness
Ninette D'Souza
World Day of the Sick, February 11 – an annual observation started by Pope (now Saint) John Paul II, is a way for followers of Catholicism to offer special prayers and good wishes to those currently suffering from illness. The day coincides with the Church's celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Here is an unspoken wonder of the world that all people with faith smaller than a mustard seed visit, with the hope of getting healed – body, mind and heart.
New batteries for the sick
The Jubilee Year 2025 is a call to embrace Hope and Renewal through service and fraternity, particularly to the least, which I would read as INFIRMED in this context. When we hear the word 'sick', we call to mind the homebound, the mentally and physically challenged, those lying comatose on a hospital bed surrounded by more machines than humans, persons battling crippling diseases like Parkinson's, Dementia, Cancer … but there are others mostly unseen, DEPRESSION being the most debilitating of all, because it's a different kind of pain when your heart cries, but your eyes don't. When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, you don't throw it away; you change the batteries. When people are ill or have messed up in life, and find themselves in a dark place, would you cast them aside? I think not. You would help them change their batteries! The physically ill need AA batteries – Attention and Affection.
New Vatican document on AI warns against ‘creating a substitute for God’
Gerard O’Connell
As the United States and China vie for primacy in the field of Artificial Intelligence, the Vatican recently issued a wide-ranging reflection, called a "Note" on "the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence" that addresses "the anthropological and ethical challenges raised by AI" and warns against "creating a substitute for God."
Known by its Latin title, "Antiqua et Nova" from the opening words of the text—"with wisdom both ancient [antiqua] and new [nova]"—the 30-page document said that "there is broad consensus that AI marks a new and significant phase in humanity's engagement with technology, placing it at the heart of what Pope Francis has described as an 'epochal change.'"
It noted that "[AI's] impact is felt globally and in a wide range of areas, including interpersonal relationships, education, work, art, healthcare, law, warfare, and international relations."
"As AI advances rapidly towards even greater achievements," the note said, "it is critically important to consider its anthropological and ethical implications. This involves not only mitigating risks and preventing harm, but also ensuring that its applications are used to promote human progress and the common good."
The document is the result of a joint effort by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed by the Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, led by the Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça.
What Should Not Happen, Happens…!
Raymond Machado
In today's economy-driven world, people have fallen into the trap of materialism. In this new system, the external appearance of men and women has gained significant importance. Attractive personalities, trendy clothing, glamorous looks and the use of cosmetics are now highly valued. Every individual possesses virtues like ambition, cooperation, love and empathy. However, in this economy, these virtues are often used (or misused) solely to acquire wealth and prosperity. We claim to have faith in God, but unfortunately, we fail to realise its profound connection with the Soul.
The renowned 19th century Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, in his play Peer Gynt, stated: "Nowadays, people in society are like onions. If you peel layer after layer of the onion, what do you find? Nothing." This statement reflects the condition of modern humanity—physically attractive and well-dressed, but lacking spiritual awareness. As a result, society's sensitivity is diminishing. We read news reports about murders and suicides in newspapers, and remain unaffected. This indifference indicates that our sensitivity has become blunted.
By nature, humans are selfish and ambitious. To sustain themselves, they earn a livelihood and strive to fulfil their dreams. However, success does not always follow their efforts. Failure often leads individuals to test their limits. But when repeated attempts to achieve their aspirations prove futile, and when loneliness sets in, they succumb to despair. When life seems meaningless, they may be driven to commit suicide. Ending life appears to be the ultimate solution to all their problems—a misguided and final decision! While the despondent persons leave this world, they leave behind countless problems for others to deal with.