The heart of Jesus is a tender and compassionate heart. The heart of Jesus is open to all of suffering humanity. Within the heart of Jesus, there is room for all who are sick and suffering, all who are oppressed by evil and wounded by sin and injustice. The gospel of Mark tells us, “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons…” (Mk 1,32f) The whole town is gathered at the door of the heart of Jesus and calling to him for mercy. It must have seemed to be an endless mass of broken humanity, suffering from sickness and other human frailties. Early in the morning, Simon and the others hunt Jesus down and break into his prayer time, where he is renewing his heart and filling it with the love of the Father. They declare to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” (Mk 1,38) Indeed, everyone is looking for healing of one sort or another. Everyone needs what is in the heart of Jesus. Jesus has been sent by the Father to heal and restore human persons to their dignity and to the joy of communion.

In contrast to the generous and open heart of Jesus that draws everyone into the mystery of God’s love and mercy, especially in times of greatest vulnerability when they are sick or perhaps dying, we have in California the End of Life Option Act (EOLOA). Rather than providing comfort and healing to those who are terminally ill, the state encourages doctors to dispense poison to aid in suicide. Palliative care that safeguards the dignity of the terminally ill person is bypassed in favor of the more expedient assistance by physicians to patients to end their lives.

The California Catholic Conference of Bishops has spoken about our responsibility to care for the sick. “Every human being possesses inherent dignity, which deserves our respect. Each of us should feel loved, worthy and cared for at every moment of our lives, especially when our earthly journey is nearing its end…As Catholics, we have been called from the very beginning of our faith to care for the sick. This commitment to care for life at all stages will not be deterred by this law. The Bishops of California and our partners in Catholic health care renew our promise to exceptional healing and compassionate care for those facing diagnosis of a terminal illness. Together, we vow to strengthen our palliative care and other health care services for the chronically and terminally ill, so that no one we treat feels compelled to choose assisted suicide. Through our health care professionals and the care and compassion of all people of goodwill, we will continue to lovingly attend, accompany and care for the terminally ill on their final journey. Pope Francis has challenged us many times to care for those on the margins. In an address last year to medical professionals he addressed our responsibility to care for people at the end of life: “Palliative care is an expression of the truly human attitude of taking care of one another, especially of those who suffer. It is a testimony that the human person is always precious, even if marked by illness and old age. Indeed, the person, under any circumstances, is an asset to him/herself and to others and is loved by God. This is why, when their life becomes very fragile and the end of their earthly existence approaches, we feel the responsibility to assist and accompany them in the best way.”

Next Sunday is the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. We will be offering prayers and the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for all those who are suffering from illnesses. It is an important part of our parish ministry to care for the sick and the dying. Pope Francis wrote in his message for the World Day for the Sick: “Jesus bestowed upon the Church his healing power: “These signs will accompany those who believe… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk 16:17-18). In the Acts of the Apostles, we read accounts of the healings worked by Peter (cf. Acts 3:4-8) and Paul (cf. Acts 14:8-11). The Church’s mission is a response to Jesus’ gift, for she knows that she must bring to the sick the Lord’s own gaze, full of tenderness and compassion. Health care ministry will always be a necessary and fundamental task, to be carried out with renewed enthusiasm by all, from parish communities to the largest healthcare institutions. We cannot forget the tender love and perseverance of many families in caring for their chronically sick or severely disabled children, parents and relatives. The care given within families is an extraordinary witness of love for the human person; it needs to be fittingly acknowledged and supported by suitable policies. Doctors and nurses, priests, consecrated men and women, volunteers, families and all those who care for the sick, take part in this ecclesial mission. It is a shared responsibility that enriches the value of the daily service given by each.” Jesus never turned away from the sick and dying but continuously engaged in the ministry of healing. We also must follow in the way of Jesus and provide for the needs of the sick and give this precious ministry a high priority in our pastoral mission.