"In truth, the leprosy which really disfigures man and society is sin; it is the pride and selfishness that generate indifference, hatred and violence in one’s soul". It was said yesterday morning, before introducing the Angelus prayer from Saint Peter’s Square, by Benedict XVI; as he commented the passage from Luke’s Gospel about the episode in which Jesus heals ten lepers, of whom just one, a Samaritan and therefore a stranger, comes back and thanks Him. "This leprosy of the spirit, which disfigures the face of humanity, no one can heal commented the Holy Father except God, who is Love. In opening up their hearts to God, the converted ones are healed inside from evil". In fact, the Gospel passage about the ten healed lepers, explained the Pope, "leads us to a double reflection. First and foremost, it suggests two levels of healing: a more superficial one, that concerns the body; a deeper one that touches the innermost part of the person, the one the Bible calls the ‘heart’, and from there radiates on to all one’s life". (continued)
