Pope Leo XIV reflects on Jesus’ healings in Jubilee 2025, urging faith to overcome life’s burdens and find hope in Christ’s transformative power.
Newsroom, June 25, 2024, Gaudium Press – In his latest catechesis for the Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Jesus Christ our Hope,” Pope Leo XIV delved into the profound symbolism of two intertwined Gospel miracles: the healing of the bleeding woman and the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:21-43). Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father emphasized faith as a transformative force that connects humanity to Jesus’ healing power, offering hope amid life’s burdens and even the shadow of death.
Drawing parallels to modern struggles, the Pope addressed the “fatigue of living” that plagues many today, describing a world that often feels too complex and heavy to bear. “Reality must be faced, and together with Jesus, we can do it well,” he said, urging believers to resist despair and societal judgment that isolates and labels. The Gospel narrative, he explained, provides a roadmap for overcoming such challenges through faith.
The Pope highlighted the story of Jairus, a synagogue official who humbly sought Jesus’ help for his dying daughter, undeterred by his social status or the devastating news of her death. “He does not lose patience, and he waits,” the Pope noted, praising Jairus’ steadfast faith. Interwoven with this account is the story of a woman afflicted by a 12-year hemorrhage, ostracized and deemed unclean. Her courageous decision to touch Jesus’ cloak, despite societal condemnation, resulted in her immediate healing. Quoting St. Augustine, the Pope remarked, “The crowd jostles, faith touches,” underscoring that true connection with Jesus stems from heartfelt belief, not mere proximity.
The Holy Father contrasted the woman’s faith with superficial engagements with Jesus, challenging believers to examine their own commitment. “We walk the surfaces of our churches, but maybe our heart is elsewhere!” he said, urging a deeper, more intentional faith. The miracles, he explained, reveal Jesus’ power not only to heal physical ailments but to awaken life from death, offering a profound reminder that for God, bodily death is akin to sleep, while spiritual death is the true peril.
In a poignant reflection, the Pope highlighted Jesus’ command to give Jairus’ revived daughter something to eat, a gesture of care for human needs. He posed a question to parents: “When our children are in crisis and need spiritual nourishment, do we know how to give it to them?” This, he suggested, requires personal nourishment through the Gospel.
Appeal for Peace Amid Tragedy
The address took a somber turn as the Pope condemned a recent terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Elias in Damascus, Syria, which claimed lives and left many wounded. “I say to the Christians of the Middle East: I am close to you! The whole Church is close to you!” he declared, entrusting the victims to God’s mercy and calling for international solidarity to support Syria’s fragile recovery.
Turning to the broader Middle East, the Pope invoked the prophet Isaiah’s vision of peace, urging nations to reject “arrogance and revenge” in favor of dialogue and diplomacy. “May the wounds caused by the bloody actions of recent days be healed,” he prayed, expressing hope for reconciliation in Iran, Israel, and Palestine.
Greetings and Blessings
The Pope extended warm greetings to English-speaking pilgrims from Malta, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and the United States, with a special nod to the Citizens UK Catholic movement. As the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus nears its end, he encouraged all to deepen their trust in Christ. “God bless you all!” he concluded.
Summary of the Catechesis
In his catechesis, Pope Leo XIV reflected on two miracles that reveal Jesus’ healing power through faith. The bleeding woman, shunned as unclean, was healed by touching Jesus’ cloak, demonstrating that faith establishes a transformative connection with Christ. Similarly, Jairus’ faith led to his daughter’s resurrection, showing that Jesus can bring life even from death. These stories, the Pope said, teach believers to approach Jesus with trust, confident in his ability to heal and renew.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican.va
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