Pope invites us all to ask for God's healing touch

During his weekly General Audience on a very hot and sunny Wednesday, attended by thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel story of the leper who was healed by Jesus as a sign of God's mercy and forgiveness.

As Jesus reached out and touched the unclean man, he said, so we must never be afraid to reach out and touch the poor and those most in need. At the same time, he said, the Lord invites each of us to feel our own need and to ask for his healing touch.

The official English summary of the Pope's words follow below:

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now consider Jesus' healing of the leper (Lk 5:12-14). As we know, lepers were considered unclean and bound by law to avoid contact with others.

Saint Luke tells us that one leper, moved by faith, did not fear to pass among the crowds and beg Jesus to cleanse him. If this leper broke the law, Jesus did likewise by touching the man and cleansing him of the disease. The Lord's example teaches us not to be afraid to reach out and touch the poor and the needy in our midst.

Significantly, the encounter does not end there. Jesus tells the healed leper to present himself to the priest to make the prescribed offering, and as a testimony to his healing. In this way, he shows us that his miracles of healing aim at the rehabilitation of sinners and that true faith bears fruit in witness.

The Lord invites each of us to feel our own need and to ask for his healing touch. Like the leper, may we turn to Jesus in faith and let our lives proclaim his gifts of mercy, forgiveness and spiritual rebirth.

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Before his reflection, Pope Francis welcomed a group of refugees to join him on the steps of St Peter's Basilica. Noting the refugees who were sitting alongside him, Pope Francis said many people think they should have stayed at home yet they were suffering so much there. Please, he begged, they are our brothers and as Christians, we must not exclude anyone!

In his conclusion, the Holy Father urged those present to every night kneel before God and pray: "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean!"

"And do it, do it every evening before going to bed. And now we say together this beautiful prayer: 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean!'" Pope Francis said.

Source: Vatican Radio