” “"Nowadays, we easily forget that we all belong to one community: to a family, to a village, to a country. Whether they are in good health or sick, happy or sad, in company or alone. But is it enough to think about them once a year?" This was asked by mgr. Norbert Brunner, bishop of Sion, in the message written for the Day of the Sick, which is celebrated on 4th March in Switzerland. Disease, recalls the bishop, is not "God’s punishment", as Jesus Himself explained when he met the born blind (J 9, 1-7). When asked by the Disciples ("Master, why is this man blind? Is it he who sinned or is it his parents who did?"), Jesus’ answer is "unequivocal", comments the bishop as he quotes the Gospel: "Neither him nor his parents. But God’s action had to manifest itself in him". This does not mean, explains mgr. Brunner, that God wants "disease, suffering, loneliness, disability, weakness, pain. But, since disease and suffering are all part of man’s life, God seizes these opportunities to show, in a very peculiar way, His infinite love for those who suffer". "In your sickness, in your disability, in your suffering or weakness concludes the bishops, addressing the sick , you are called to be an example for us".” “
