Scholars realise that the language of the original text
often permits translation to a range of options in another language.
The option selected is then heavily biassed by the current doctrine
or the theological perspective of the translator.
Our English texts are thus, generally, atuned
to pre-medieval Christian doctrine.

An example, pointed out by Pope Leo XIV, lies in the Great Commission,
where we are told to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons".
Yet each of these emotive commands can be viewed in much more practical terms.

The Greek word translated as "the sick" could have many meanings:
It does not refer only to the physically ill,
but could refer to anyone weak, feeble, or broken;
about strengthening tired souls and bringing them to wholeness again.

The Greek word translated as "the dead" could have many meanings:
It was not just about corpses,
but spoke of things that were not functioning, such as
a marriage that was no longer working, or a dream that has died, or a faith that has grown cold.
It means bring new life and wakening what has fallen into lifelessness.

The Greek word translated as "lepers" could have many meanings:
It refers to those considered filthy, rejected, untouchable.
Jesus was telling them to bring back dignity to the rejected of society.

The Greek word translated as "demons" could have many meanings:
It includes lies, fears, addictions, oppression;
the things that chain a person from inside.
Help them to break what is breaking them.

It was not supernatural powers that Jesus was handing out but human responsibilities.
They were for those willing to listen, to go close, to share,
to stand with others when life starts to malfunction.

Thank you Pope Leo for your wisdom,
maybe we can learn to live with its deeper meaning
as we wonder where else the words of our translations
are constrained by the dubious conceptiosn of their translators.