His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania underlined on Sunday that “Jesus Christ teaches us that at all times we must do good, showing merciful love and offering help to those who suffer, the sick and the lonely.”
The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church interpreted the Gospel passage of the healing of the paralysed man at Bethesda, emphasising the importance of love for one’s neighbour regardless of time.
“Whenever we show mercy and kindness to those in need of our help, we glorify God, Who is merciful and good,” His Beatitude said.
He further stressed that “the merciful and humble love of people for those in distress is a sign that God’s merciful love for humanity is at work precisely through those who help others.”
Patience and Humility in Suffering
Patriarch Daniel highlighted that the Gospel of this Sunday reveals Christ’s compassionate love for a man suffering in isolation: “Out of merciful love for the man who had no one to help him, the Lord Jesus goes to the Pool of Bethesda to heal him.”
Referring to the man’s prolonged suffering, His Beatitude noted that it was marked by patience and humility: “Thirty-eight years of suffering without rebellion, of patience without complaint, of silence in humility — suffering both from paralysis and from loneliness caused by the indifference of others.”
“Although there were many people who could have helped him, their multitude seemed like a spiritual desert, because their selfishness had emptied their souls of compassion,” the Patriarch added.
Link Between Sin and Suffering
Patriarch Daniel also pointed to the discretion with which Christ restores the life of the healed man: “Christ does not rebuke or judge the sick man before healing him; rather, He first raises him from illness and then, in the temple, gently advises him: ‘Behold, you have been made well; sin no more.’”
At the same time, His Beatitude noted that there is sometimes a connection between suffering and repentance: “Physical suffering can transform and heal the human soul in its relationship with God.”
“The Church of Christ is the new Bethesda, the place of healing and uplift through the grace of the Holy Mysteries,” Patriarch Daniel emphasised.
In conclusion, he called the faithful to prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, “that He may help all those who suffer, transforming the suffering of illness into hope for healing and salvation.”
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
