Over Christmas, two of my family members were talking about a
mutual friend who, though chronically ill, routinely does heroic acts of
kindness for others. Though they get exasperated with her when she overextends
herself, they realize that caring for others is what makes life meaningful. I
thanked God that these women are kind enough to support their friend through
both good times and bad, helping her to live a full life.
This incident came to mind as I read Pope Francis’ message for
the World Day of the Sick, in which he reflects on St. Bernadette’s
relationship to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lady spoke to Bernadette “as one
person to another,” he says, treating her with great respect, even though she
was poor and sickly. “This reminds us that every person is, and always remains,
a human being, and is to be treated as such. The sick and those who are
disabled, even severely, have their own inalienable dignity and mission in
life.”
In light of the expanding legalization of assisted suicide, Pope
Francis’ insights are invaluable. Studies have shown that the majority of
people who support assisted suicide do so because they fear the loss of
personal autonomy and dignity in their final days. Suffering, they say, is
meaningless and should have no place in the human experience. It seems that the
thought of having to go on living when faced with serious disability or illness
is becoming unacceptable in our post-Christian society.
What I find most tragic in this exaltation of independence and
personal choice is that this attitude denies the beautiful reality that we are
made for community. Created in the image and likeness of God, who is a Trinity
of Persons, we are inherently relational, not autonomous. Mutual dependence,
rather than independence, is the true Gospel value, and so we should not be
ashamed when we need the assistance of others. Our weakness or infirmity can be
a graced opportunity for those who help us, as well as for ourselves, for as
Saint John Paul II so often repeated, we can only find fulfillment through the
sincere gift of self to others.
This is why Pope Francis is asking us to honor the sick by
helping them to share their gifts and abilities. “Let us ask Mary Immaculate
for the grace always to relate to the sick as persons who certainly need
assistance,” he writes, “but who have a gift of their own to share with
others.”
St. Bernadette turned her frailty into strength by serving the
sick and offering her life for the salvation of humanity. The fact that Mary
asked her to pray for sinners, the pope writes, “reminds us that the infirm and
the suffering desire not only to be healed, but also to live a truly Christian
life.”
Social media has allowed me to become acquainted with numerous
heroes who go on giving in the midst of tremendous suffering. If you are
looking for inspiration just google Zach Sobiech or Lauren Hill, young adults
who made a difference in the world while dying of cancer; J.J. Hanson,
president of the Patients Rights Action League, who triumphed over a brain
tumor; or O.J. Brigance, a former professional football player who inspires
thousands though he is completely paralyzed by Lou Gehrig’s disease.
I am sure that you have unsung heroes in your midst in the person
of sick, disabled or elderly persons who enrich your life despite their own
trials. This year as we celebrate the World Day of the Sick, let’s honor these
everyday heroes by letting them know that we admire them and are there for them
in their moments of need, and by asking them to pray for us.
Sr. Constance Veit is director of communications for the
Little Sisters of the Poor.