The Man, the Wife, the Donkey and the Critics

So Very True.

Act of Compassion and Love ~ Pope Francis hugs and kisses a man suffering from severe facial disfigurement and skin disorder

during his audience in St. Peter’s Square on 6 November, 2013 (Wednesday). Pope Francis, prayed and blessed the man similarly St. Francis of Assisi, who also embraced a leper. This was truly beautiful an act of compassion in the likeness of Jesus healing the leper in Matthew 8-1-4. 

Act of compassion and love,

is what Christ wants each of us to do.

The man was as suffering from neurofibromatosis, which causes great pain and can result in paralysis, impaired vision, deafness, mental retardation, migraines and even cancer. Treatment of the condition is very complicated. People with this disease, which is genetic and not contagious but often face discrimination because of their appearance.

Matthew 8:1-4

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD

Psalms 112: 1 - 2, 4 - 5, 9
1	Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
2	His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
4	Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5	It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
9	He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn is exalted in honor.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord (Psalm 112)

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.

Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.

An evil report he shall not fear.
His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast;
he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.

Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever,
his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Ps 112:1bc-2,3-4,5-7,7-8,9