Building a Foundation of Mercy Quotes from Pope Francis’ Miserere Vultus Reflections from the Staff of Stewardship & Pastoral Services Diocese of Green Bay a personal journal MERCY: WHY NOW? WHY ALWAYS?
Pope Francis felt so deeply that the world was in need of mercy that he proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy for December 8, 2015 – November 20, 2016. The Jubilee Year of Mercy is extraordinary because the ordinary cycle calls for a Jubilee every 25 years, so the next one was not anticipated until 2025. He explained the urgency in his Papal Indiction, Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy):
Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy. The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love. The Church “has an endless desire to show mercy”. Perhaps we have long since forgotten how to show and live the way of mercy (10).
The Year of Mercy is meant to recall the characteristic of mercy as foundational to disciples of Jesus, rather than to serve as a fad or a new buzz-word. It is meant to remind us to lead with mercy at all times, not just during this Jubilee.
BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF MERCY
Constructing a brick foundation for a building is hard work! It can be messy! It requires methodical, time consuming step-by-step stacking of one brick at a time! As disciples of Jesus, we cultivate mercy through habitual practice of works of mercy and everyday decisions to show mercy to others. This will take commitment and time. Honoring the biblical tradition of forty-day-long periods of time being set aside for waiting, preparing, and refining, we are pleased to offer a forty-day booklet so that you can focus on Building a Foundation of Mercy. Each day includes:
1.) An excerpt of the words of Pope Francis found in Misericordiae Vultus.
2.) A reflection relating the quote to the some of our everyday experiences of mercy at home, at work, and in the world.
3.) Space to journal on questions relating to your own spiritual life.
4.) A new brick added to your Foundation of Mercy at the bottom of each page.
It is our hope and prayer that this resource will help readers to move from reflecting on mercy to forming a habit of mercy, and ultimately, to continual deepening of the characteristic of mercy that is foundational. Through mercy, may we be drawn together to experience the Kingdom of God. THE MEANING OF MERCY
M is for Misery: Mercy realizes that people who are in need suffer in misery. Mercy is derived from the Latin word miserere.
E is for Empathy: Mercy reaches out with the love of God that is inside us that causes us to think about and care about how others feel.
R is for Respect: Mercy understands that every person is made in the image of God, with a dignity that cannot be taken away.
C is for Caring: Mercy acts, following the example of Jesus, who told us & showed us how to care for others.
Y is for You: Mercy, when practiced regularly, becomes a habit, then a fundamental characteristic of your personality.
How to Bring Mercy to Others
The Corporal Works of Mercy The Spiritual Works of Mercy - Feed the hungry - Admonish the sinner - Give drink to the thirsty - Instruct the ignorant - Clothe the naked - Counsel the doubtful - Shelter the homeless - Comfort the sorrowful - Visit the sick - Bear wrongs patiently - Visit the imprisoned - Forgive all injuries - Bury the dead - Pray for the living and the dead
Jesus, the face of the Father’s Mercy Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him. (MV 1)
I have always loved the words found in the Gospel of Matthew (7: 7-11), in which we are told that everyone who ask, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. If you ask God to see His face, it will be revealed to you; if you seek God’s mercy, you will be found by Jesus, who is the face of the Father’s mercy; if you knock; the heart and love of Jesus will be revealed for you in a definitive way, because it shall be granted to you by the merciful Father.
Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Have you sought to learn as a disciple? Have you knocked on the doors of heaven, believing that God’s mercy is waiting for you whenever you are in need? ______
MERCY - DAY 1 Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions, and his entire person reveals the mercy of God. (MV 1)
Have you ever known someone who was able to imitate Jesus so completely that they epitomized being a Christian? MaryAnn Finn was exactly that kind of person in my life. She was a Sunday School Teacher at the church of my elderly neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Petersen. The Petersens would often invite the unchurched children of our family to go with them to Bethel Baptist Church, where Mrs. Finn taught the seventh-grade class. She freely and generously shared her beaming smile, love of Jesus, knowledge of the Bible, and was as likely to be found playing the organ as serving her potato salad at a church meal. When I missed Sunday School for months at a time she never scolded; rather, she would flood the room with her warmth and proclaim: “Honey, I am so glad you came!” Her words, actions, and her entire person revealed the mercy and love of God. I came to trust that she would always treat me with mercy.
Your words, actions, and sense of self are able to reveal the mercy of God. Looking back on your life, are there significant moments when you were aware of God’s love being revealed by you or by another through words, actions, or by recognition of mercy as a quality trait?
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MERCY - DAY 2 We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace. (MV 2)
Many people struggle with “constantly” worrying about the past and the future. They may replay conversations over and over again in their minds, swirling up anxiety about how they may have been perceived or overanalyzing what they should have said, instead. They may borrow on sorrows from the future that might never come to be. Constantly thinking about some things can give a person a sense of discontent and stress. That is not the case with constantly thinking about mercy. Focusing on this beautiful gift from God and how we might share it with others gives us “a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace.” There is a lightness and freedom experienced when mercy becomes a foundational posture within our relationships.
Recall how individuals responded when Jesus showed them mercy. Think about how many times in your life you have been forgiven—it is astounding! To practice “constantly” thinking about mercy, list 3 things that are currently causing you to worry. Contemplate how applying mercy—to yourself or others—might alleviate feelings of discontent or stress.
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MERCY - DAY 3 Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. (MV 2)
St. Augustine called the Holy Spirit the Love between the Father (Lover)and the Son (Beloved). God is not an “it”: God is “Who,” a relational, a unified love between three persons. Mercy is also personal. It exists, much like love, across the chasm of interactions between people. It is recognizable, almost like a third person within our relationships if we make space. I once met someone at a conference who immediately rubbed me the wrong way. She talked, nearly non-stop, about all of her knowledge, experience, and powerful acquaintances to me and the other two women she had just met for the first time. It seemed like I had drawn the short straw in roommate selection! To be honest, I was sorely tempted to avoid her for the rest of the three days we would be spending time together within the same event. At one point that first night she and I were alone and to my surprise, mercy joined us. Little by little she overlooked my quiet indifference and I overlooked her seeming self-centeredness. Our conversation gently turned into a meaningful dialogue about ministry-thanks be to God! The rest of our time together was sincerely warm, engaging, and spiritual, providing the most memorable moments of the event. Our encounter with mercy led to a friendship of respect and support. In fact, we have continued to stay in touch.
Has anyone ever given you a second chance after a less-than-impressive first meeting? Have you ever become friends with someone who you were sure you would NEVER want to engage? What role did mercy play in the development of that relationship? Are you avoiding someone who needs another chance to show you who he/she really is? ______
MERCY - DAY 4 Mercy—the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. (MV 2)
The roadsides of Wisconsin are enchanting during the month of July. Cream-colored Queen Anne’s Lace, golden-petaled Brown-eyed Susans, neon-purple Larkspur, towering Papas Grass and bright orange daylilies adorn the ditches. I often revel in the fact the God did not need to make the world so beautiful, yet we are constantly gifted with remarkable natural beauty. Through creation we meet our Creator and are moved to give thanks and praise. God also chose, out of mercy, to meet us in history within a burning bush, a quiet whisper, as a little babe born in Bethlehem, and as tongues of flame at Pentecost.
Where did God meet you recently? In nature? In Holy Scripture or Eucharist? In another person? In a Gift of the Holy Spirit when you experienced wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord? In meditating on the life of Jesus? In contemplating an image of God? In music? In silence? In the presence of a newborn?
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MERCY - DAY 5 Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. (MV 2)
I worked for a handful of years in a nursing home. Some days I loved my job and thought of it as a vocation, not a job. Some days, I wanted to be anywhere but there. One day when I was helping a resident she asked: “Do you have somewhere else you’d rather be?” Wondering where such a comment was coming from, I asked what she meant. She continued: “Well, I see you tapping your foot in impatience, like you want me to hurry up, as if you have to get somewhere.” It was then I realized that I wasn’t really being present to her. She just wanted a few moments of my time, to help her with her needs, to listen to her, to be engaged. From then on, I worked harder to make sure that when I was caring for someone that I focused on them and their needs, rather than my own. Those were the days when I truly loved my job.
Jesus took time to talk to the woman at the well, the blind man, lepers, and countless others who were in need. Do you stop to really listen to those you are with, putting down your phone, your book, whatever distraction you have, to really listen and be engaged? Who do you know who is especially like this for you? Looking back on your day, who seemed in need of your sincere presence?
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MERCY - DAY 6 Mercy--the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to a hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. (MV 2)
As a child I watched a movie about a band of persons who were blind and forced to flee danger by crossing over a very long, rickety, bridge. My brothers and sisters and I watched in fear for those brave souls, gasping at each misstep! The bridge spanned a river running between two high mountain ridges. There were gaps where the wooden planks attached to suspended rope had rotted away and dropped to the water below. We were sure that they wouldn’t make it as they felt their way across the perilous precipice. Near the end of the movie most of the refugees had made it across the bridge. Then, as the camera zoomed out, viewers could see that a newer, sturdy bridge was located just beyond the old, hazardous bridge, unbeknownst to those hoping for safe passage. Mercy can be like that for us. We place our hopes in things of this world that will disintegrate with time. Guilt, regret, and shame can lead us to be blind to our Jesus, out saviour, who is always ready to lead us home safely.
Have you ever felt unlovable? Did you feel like you could not “see” God in a situation because it seemed so dark? Do you believe that God will love you into eternity?
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MERCY - DAY 7 Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive. (MV 3)
Many Christians struggle with the idea that there are not unforgivable sins. When we hear of abuse of children or murder or any number of horrible crimes it can feel impossible to consider taking the pathway of mercy. We may be able to believe that God forgives all, but that we are humanly incapable. In part, that is true—humanly, we are severely limited, but by the grace of God, we may be able to do so. Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation, MVFR, is a group that brings together the families of murder victims and the families of those executed for murdering in order to make space for mercy. “MVFR mobilizes victim families and helps them tell their stories in ways that disrupt and dismantle the death penalty and create pathways for wholeness, reconciliation and restoration” (Mission Statement). Just imagining the mercy needed to bring those two groups of families together gives me hope that God is able to move me to become more merciful.
Have you ever been able to pray for and receive the grace of God to forgive something that, at first, seemed impossible for you to forgive? Do you harbor any attitudes that some lives are not worth defending? Jesus asked for forgiveness from the cross for those who were executing him—is there someone who has grievously sinned who you might spiritually adopt in prayer, that they might come to experience the mercy of God?
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MERCY - DAY 8 We recall the poignant words of Saint John XXIII when, opening the Second Vatican Council, he indicated the path to follow: “Now the Bride of Christ wishes to use the medicine of mercy rather than taking up arms of severity ... The Catholic Church, as she holds high the torch of Catholic truth at this Ecumenical Council, wants to show herself a loving mother to all; patient, kind, moved by compassion and goodness toward her separated children.” (MV 4)
When I was growing up the relationship with one of my sisters was very strained. At times we could hardly be in the same room without a disagreement coming to the fore. This was very discouraging for my Mom, who would always ask: “Why can’t the two of you just get along?” Our relationship was not healthy. We didn’t take the “medicine of mercy” for many years. Thanks be to God, we finally did so as Mom neared her death. Despite all of the prior “severity,” the grace of God and our shared reliance on our faith for strength helped us to be “moved by compassion and goodness.” We joined our hearts to care for our mother and were able to set a tone of respectful acceptance for our other siblings. Similarly, there have been many instances of reaching out with respectful acceptance to other Christians through prayer, common care for the most vulnerable in society, and building peace in the world.
How has your understanding of the goodness of other Christian denominations changed throughout your lifetime? Have you engaged in common prayer and/or work with any churches besides your own? What are qualities you respect about other denominational churches?
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MERCY - DAY 9 We will entrust the life of the Church, all humanity, and the entire cosmos to the Lordship of Christ, asking him to pour out his mercy upon us like the morning dew, so that everyone may work together to build a brighter future. (MV 5)
Dew is a funny thing. It emerges in the evening when the temperature cools. Sometimes it is welcomed as morning refreshment following a blisteringly hot day. Other times it is annoying, because nighttime has fallen and your shoes become unexpectedly soaked as you cut across your backyard on the way into the house. Mercy can be like that. When it is expected as part of a loving, rhythm of the Christian life it feels natural and is easily accepted. I hurt my daughter’s feelings with a careless remark, I recognize that I should have spoken more kindly, I sincerely apologize, and she extends mercy to me, trusting that our relationship is mutually respectful and that we plan to remain close throughout our lives. When it is unexpected, coming from someone I’m not particularly fond of and have offended, it can feel a bit annoying to go through the experience of asking for and accepting mercy. Accepting mercy requires the humility to admit that we are in need and the other person has the power to respond in the situation. If we entrust ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, mercy must be at the center of all of our relationships so that we may work together to build a brighter future.
Do you have an opportunity to work together to build a brighter future with someone who has shown you mercy? Do you find it hard to forgive others or to ask for forgiveness? Are you typically able to allow a cooling down period following a heated moment, similar to the lower nighttime temperatures that prompts condensation—dew? ______
MERCY - DAY 10 “Patient and merciful.” These words often go together in the Old Testament to describe God’s nature. (MV 6)
As a catechist for a First Grade Faith Formation Class, some nights I find that being patient amidst the chaos that streams into my classroom is absolutely necessary! I remind myself that these wonderful, young children have been sitting in school all day. They just need someone to listen to them chat about their day, their family and their friends so that they can settle in to learn about Jesus and how much God loves them. During our lessons my challenge is to discover how to tap into the gifts they each bring, not only to Faith Formation Class, but beyond. If a student misbehaves he/she may just be trying to cover up learning difficulties. By being patient and merciful, I hope to be a mentor disciple so that I can influence our children to grow in mercy and compassion.
Who is in need of your patience, acceptance, and mercy? Who needs your forgiveness for things she/he have said or done, perhaps not understanding the hurt or pain that resulted? Who has overlooked your actions, sensing there was more to the story?
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MERCY - DAY 11 In short, the mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality through which he reveals his love as that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that this is a “visceral” love. It gushes forth from the depths naturally, full of tenderness and compassion, indulgence and mercy. (MV 6)
As I read and pondered this statement, I could see my parents throughout my childhood, the simple joy I felt being in their presence and the sparkle in their eyes. You know what I mean—that warm feeling of contentment. Yet, there were times I would hear a very loud voice, maybe even a little angry call out to me because of something I was doing or about to do. Mostly, though, it was a voice full of tenderness and always full of love for me as a child and continued even when I became an adult. It didn’t matter—I always knew if I fell down and was hurt they were there to help the hurt go away. That same warm feeling of love is also experienced when I pray or go to reconciliation. It is merciful, accepting love that I can rely upon.
When or where or when have you seen or felt that kind of parental love? Has it been in Church? When you are with your family or a friend? Are you “indulgent” in mercy?
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MERCY - DAY 12 Before his Passion, Jesus prayed with this psalm of mercy. Matthew attests to this in his Gospel when he says that, “when they had sung a hymn” (26:30), Jesus and his disciples went out to the Mount of Olives. While he was instituting the Eucharist as an everlasting memorial of himself and his paschal sacrifice, he symbolically placed this supreme act of revelation in the light of his mercy. Within the very same context of mercy, Jesus entered upon his passion and death, conscious of the great mystery of love that he would consummate on the cross. Knowing that Jesus himself prayed this psalm makes it even more important for us as Christians, challenging us to take up the refrain in our daily lives by praying these words of praise: “for his mercy endures forever.”(MV 7)
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968) formerly known as Padre Pio, lived with bearing the pain of the stigmata (wounds of Jesus) in his own flesh. As death neared for Padre Pio, his last words were a repeated litany of saying, “Gesú, Maria” (Jesus, Mary). Those dearest of names were so committed to his heart that they were his last comfort on earth. Similarly, St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s last words were, “Jesus, I love you.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta used her last breaths to say: “Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you.” The words of Psalm 118 and 136 proclaim over and over again that “His mercy endures forever.” Every Jewish person in Jesus’ time would have grown up knowing these words by heart. Surely Jesus trusted with hope as he died on Calvary, believing that his father’s mercy would endure forever.
Is God’s mercy something that you “know by heart?” What words of hope in God do you say to yourself or others in times of suffering? Can you commit to saying the name of Jesus with tenderness each day as an affirmation of your understanding that you are forgiven by a merciful God? ______
MERCY - DAY 13 The relationships he [Jesus] forms with the people who approach him manifest something entirely unique and unrepeatable. The signs he works, especially in the face of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion. (MV 8)
I recall when my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer and was given 3-6 weeks to live. All of my siblings came home to help out, working in shifts to care for Dad. One day as my Mom and I were caring for him I said to her, “I guess the years I spent working in a nursing home gave me the training I’d need later for day like this.” Dad’s face broke out into a grin. Although those were some of the hardest days I’ve ever faced in my life, I’m grateful for every “entirely unique and unrepeatable” moment I shared with Dad in his final days. It was a chance to share God’s love and compassion.
What does “compassion” mean? What are some experiences through which you learned to be compassionate? What inspires you to be merciful?
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MERCY - DAY 14 Jesus, seeing the crowds of people who followed him, realized that they were tired and exhausted, lost and without a guide, and he felt deep compassion for them (cf. Mt 9:36). On the basis of this compassionate love he healed the sick who were presented to him (cf. Mt 14:14), and with just a few loaves of bread and fish he satisfied the enormous crowd (cf. Mt 15:37). What moved Jesus in all of these situations was nothing other than mercy, with which he read the hearts of those he encountered and responded to their deepest need. When he came upon the widow of Naim taking her son out for burial, he felt great compassion for the immense suffering of this grieving mother, and he gave back her son by raising him from the dead (cf. Lk 7:15). (MV 8)
When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, she’d ask me to stay with her to help her. I had no problem dropping everything to care for Mom, though she suffered greatly. It was in these days that I felt my bond with her growing ever closer, allowing me the chance to “respond to her deepest need”. Those times of being her care giver allowed us to share some very special conversations, which I will always cherish. Although I miss our times together I take comfort in knowing I was there for her to the very end. She’s been gone three years, yet, I feel her presence more now than ever, as if one of my “greatest needs” to be with her is being met through the grace and mercy of God.
If compassion is a gesture, what might it be for you? How do you experience compassion within your mind ... body…heart? What physical compassion have you given to another or received?
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MERCY - DAY 15 In the parables devoted to mercy, Jesus reveals the nature of God as that of a Father who never gives up until he has forgiven the wrong and overcome rejection with compassion and mercy. (MV 9)
I have a friend whose grown daughter has rejected him. She has harshly criticized her father for not giving her what she felt she needed growing up and has said cruel things about the woman he married several years after her parents had divorced. My friend has a grandson he has never met. Throughout these seven years of painful rejection he continues to love his daughter, understanding that she is deeply troubled. God’s mercy never gives up on us, either. We have a father who understands that we are troubled and longs for us to accept the love that continues to reach out in hope.
Have you ever felt sorrow over a loved one rejecting God? Has your heart ever ached to have someone return to the Church? Can you be the face of God’s mercy to someone who has not been practicing their Faith?
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MERCY - DAY 16 Pardoning offences becomes the clearest expression of merciful love, and for us Christians it is an imperative from which we cannot excuse ourselves. At times how hard it seems to forgive! And yet pardon is the instrument placed into our fragile hands to attain serenity of heart. (MV 9)
Have you ever noticed that when a sentence begins, “With all due respect,” that often what follows is not respectful at all? I witnessed this once and noted the merciful pardon granted to the speaker. Rather than reflecting the lack of respect, the person privately addressed the comment so that the others present would not need to be part of the fraternal correction. We are all fragile, easy to wound and prone to wound others. Mercy and pardon are able to turn prickles and stings into opportunities to help ourselves and each other to grow in love and in doing so, to bring glory to God.
How have you responded when spoken to in a disrespectful way? Are you quick to pardon others? For those closest to you in your family and workplace, how do you feel when someone offers you pardon or when you offer pardon to another? As a disciple of Jesus, can you pray for the grace to make mercy up front and foremost in your relationships?
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MERCY - DAY 17 As we can see in Sacred Scripture, mercy is a key word that indicates God’s action towards us. He does not limit himself merely to affirming his love, but makes it visible and tangible. Love, after all, can never be just an abstraction. By its very nature, it indicates something concrete: intentions, attitudes, and behaviours that are shown in daily living. (MV 9)
Have you ever heard from an unbeliever or someone who has given up on practicing their faith that they don’t experience Christians always “living the message”? Perhaps they were the victim of such an experience. We have all most likely heard or sang the song They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love. Jesus gave us the perfect blueprint for being his disciple. It contains the verbal expression of love as well as the outward sign through loving action. Christianity spread through our world because missionaries where able to do both. As modern day missionaries in our churches and communities, it is important that we “live the love” not in an abstract way, but in a tangible and believable way. We want people to know the incredible gift that is offered through a relationship with Jesus through his Church. We must all hold ourselves accountable for being who we say we are as followers of Jesus.
Have you ever had an experience where a person who was a Christian did not act in a Christian manner to you? What was it like? Name ways in which you are able to make visible and tangible expressions of God’s love on a regular basis. Can you choose one loving “intention, attitude, or behavior” to pray about in earnest?
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MERCY - DAY 18 The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love. The Church “has an endless desire to show mercy.” Perhaps we have long since forgotten how to show and live the way of mercy. (MV 10)
Little children are GREAT at living the way mercy. If a child causes anther child to get hurt, they say, “Sorry,” and offer to kiss the boo-boo. They hug, and the child who was hurt says, “That’s OK.” We have witnessed it time and again. So simple. Jesus tells us to be like a little child if we want to receive the Kingdom of God. Have we long since forgotten how to be child-like in the way we give and receive mercy?
Have you ever over-complicated the process for reconciliation with another, or are you able to keep it simple? What does withholding forgiveness feel like? In what ways are you aware of the Church being able to be credible in the world?
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MERCY - DAY 19 The word and the concept of ‘mercy’ seem to cause uneasiness in man, who, thanks to the enormous development of science and technology, never before known in history, has become the master of the earth and has subdued and dominated it (cf. Gen 1:28). (MV 11)
As a former science student and teacher, I have come to believe that science is not opposed to God; in fact, I believe that science provides evidence that may lead people to believe in God. I once viewed two images of the same drop of water that had been photographed with the aid of a microscope by Japanese researcher, Masaru Emoto. When the water was exposed to positive words and sounds (including prayer), then frozen into a crystal, the result was a beautiful image, much like a snowflake. When the same water drop was exposed to negative words and sounds, then frozen into a crystal, the result was a chaotic, ugly image. With our bodies being composed of 60% water, just imagine the possible physical effects of harshness and mercy on speakers AND listeners.
Have you ever experienced a physical aversion to certain sounds or imagery? Do you think that merciful words and prayers have the ability to affect others? Are there aspects of science that you think might be used to make God more relevant in this generation?
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MERCY - DAY 20 The Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every person. (MV 12)
One of the most overwhelming images of God’s love for his people has been mirrored most recently for me as I watch my son with his 3 1/2 year-old son. There is so much love between them there appears to be an energy that draws me in. Watching them play together or talking about their adventures at swimming lessons or the park is remarkable. My son’s generosity along with his hopes and dreams for his son reflect our God’s amazing abundance. Yet, there are moments when our grandson needs a timeout (not unlike his dad at that age). At those times my son remains firm. I can tell he would rather not have to exercise the consequence but because he loves him, he does. My favorite part is when the time-out is over, my grandson goes running over to his dad, he climbs on his lap; they embrace and give big kisses until our little one is done. Mercy is a beautiful thing even at its most basic level. There is a reason that mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel. It is because it is our salvation and it helps human love to endure. It is a driving force in making the Kingdom of God a reality. Thank you God for your enduring love and mercy!
What mercy-filled event have you been witness to recently? How was your heart and mind changed by this event? Do you allow others a “time-out” to make space for reconsidering their actions? Do you believe that God has big hopes and dreams for your life to be abundant that help you to become more merciful?
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MERCY - DAY 21 The Church’s first truth is the love of Christ. The Church makes herself a servant of this love and mediates it to all people: a love that forgives and expresses itself in the gift of one’s self. Consequently, wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident. In our parishes, communities, associations and movements, in a word, wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy. (MV 12)
Did you know that “parish” refers to a geographical boundary? That means that each parish is called to pastorally care about all persons living within their parish boundaries, not just those who they belong to your specific church community. This is really challenging, and in a way, very exciting! My friend, Janet, understood this. She used to walk throughout our neighborhood praying the Rosary for all of the households, whether she knew the residents or not. I know of a group of people who have committed to praying for the inmates at Brown County Jail and have spiritually adopted the students at each of our schools, asking God to help keep them from turning to crime. Just think of all the souls in our near proximity who we could draw into the loving mercy of God!
Have you ever thought of your “parish” as being larger than your church community? Would you consider spiritually adopting a nursing home, school, hospital, or jail within your parish boundaries by praying daily for the souls within those institutions? How might your parish become an “oasis of mercy” that is recognized as a place where people follow Jesus? ______
MERCY - DAY 22 Jesus’s command is directed to anyone willing to listen to his voice (cf. Lk 6:27). In order to be capable of mercy, therefore, we must first of all dispose ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This means rediscovering the value of silence in order to meditate on the Word that comes to us. In this way, it will be possible to contemplate God’s mercy and adopt it as our lifestyle. (MV 13)
I am not proud to admit that the last time I went to mass I became distracted during the reading of the Gospel. It was not because the priest wasn’t expressive enough—I simply zoned out, allowing current troubles to take my mind hostage. Sometimes the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Being attentive for opportunities to show mercy can also be challenging. It can be so easy to allow ourselves to be distracted by our own worries that we fail to listen to and meditate upon the needs of others.
How comfortable are you with silence? Do you believe that reading and meditating on the scriptures would transform your lifestyle, making you more merciful? What was the last reading at mass that stayed in your heart throughout the following days?
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MERCY - DAY 23 The Lord asks us above all not to judge and not to condemn. If anyone wishes to avoid God’s judgment, he should not make himself the judge of his brother or sister. Human beings, whenever they judge, look no farther than the surface, whereas the Father looks into the very depths of the soul. To refrain from judgment and condemnation means, in a positive sense, to know how to accept the good in every person and to spare him any suffering that might be caused by our partial judgment and our presumption to know everything about him. But this is still not sufficient to express mercy. Jesus asks us also to forgive and to give. To be instruments of mercy because it was we who first received mercy from God. To be generous with others, knowing that God showers his goodness upon us with immense generosity. (MV 14)
How long does it take us to “make up our minds” about someone? What criteria do we use to justify our opinions of others? Do we stereotype based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, country of origin, income, sexual orientation, level of education, what area of town for residence, or physical attractiveness? How do we decide if a person is “holy” or not? Jesus asks that our mercy would include forgiveness and generosity.
Is there an individual from a group that you hold a bias against who you could take time to know personally and affirm the goodness within him/her/them? Do you struggle with thinking you are better than others in the workplace, your family, or your social groups? Can you tell when you move beyond confidence to having an attitude of pride?
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MERCY - DAY 24 Let us not fall into humiliating indifference or a monotonous routine that prevents us from discovering what is new! Let us ward off destructive cynicism! (MV 15)
Have you ever been in a group or organization where there are people who constantly “throw wrenches” into new and innovative ideas. Do you consistently hear the same negative cliché’s when someone asks to consider something from a new perspective or generous heart? Google defines cynicism as an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest. Scripture gives us a clue what it was like for Jesus during his ministry when he was highlighting a new type of generosity and mercy without limits to the Jewish community. Who were the “wrench throwers” in his day? What do you mean including the lepers, the criminals, the disabled and even the Samaritans in your embrace? Don’t they deserve their misery? Who was judging the early Christian community as they cared for the widows and orphans and “shared all things in common?” Was it a foolish idea because not everyone would pull their weight and contribute equally to the common purse? Enter Pope Francis. Like Jesus, he continues to “throw a wrench” into the destructive cynicism. Like Jesus, he is aware of all people’s human failings and yet inclusive. Disciples want to be like Jesus.
Where are you on the spectrum of “mercy without boundaries?“ Do you speak out against “wrench throwers?” What is one commitment you can make to take move a step forward on your personal mercy spectrum today.
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MERCY - DAY 25 Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead. We cannot escape the Lord’s words to us, and they will serve as the criteria upon which we will be judged. (MV 15)
Living out all of the Works of Mercy is challenging, especially if we try to do them all of the time! It takes intention and discipline. Most of us may think we are doing OK with “welcome the stranger,” but do we take this seriously as “the criteria upon which we will be judged” by the Lord? True welcoming, especially at mass, requires more that saying good morning to someone who we do not know. My friend and her family moved and joined the parish near their new home. They were given rather large nametags labeled, “New Members,” to wear to coffee and donuts after mass. The presider announced their names at the end of the liturgy, had them stand up, and invited everyone to meet them during coffee and donuts. Many people attended the reception—not a single person sat with them or spoke to them.
Do you feel compelled to deepen your intention to become disciplined in living out true welcoming? How many people do you know by name at church and when was the last time you introduced yourself to someone new? Which of the Works of Mercy is naturally easy for you and which is most challenging?
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MERCY - DAY 26 In each of these “little ones,” Christ himself is present. His flesh becomes visible in the flesh of the tortured, the crushed, the scourged, the malnourished, and the exiled ... to be acknowledged, touched, and cared for by us. (MV 15)
Saint Teresa of Calcutta chose to see Jesus in the poor, the sick, the hungry, the lonely and the rejected. She taught generations of people to value the dignity of all. Like her spiritual namesake, Therese of Lisieux, she strove to do small acts of kindness with great love. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the great needs in our world and to simply shut down. Mother Teresa chose to help the world one person at a time—all for Jesus and always with a big smile. Mercy is a choice.
Is there someone who would be thrilled to receive of acknowledgment from you, either verbally or in a card? Can you recall a moment when someone gave you a hug just when you needed it most? Are you able to be more generous in helping to feed the hungry through a food pantry, homeless shelter, or Catholic Relief Services?
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MERCY - DAY 27 The preaching of Jesus is made visible once more in the response of faith Christians are called to offer by their witness. May the words of the Apostle accompany us: He who does acts of mercy, let him do them with cheerfulness (cf. Rom 12:8). (MV16)
My mom was a great example of “everyday mercy”. Born the last of ten children, her mother died when she was 4 months old. She went to live with and was raised by two of her older aunts and their kind husbands. They were unable to have children of their own and poured out their love and attention on her. Mom was still a young woman in her early twenties just beginning her own family when she was faced with the care of her “adoptive parents.” who were now old enough to be her grandparents. As little girls, my older sister and I watched my mother lovingly and tenderly care for them. By the time the last of the four passed, Mom had five children of her own and yet remained their human life source until they were called home. In witnessing her “everyday mercy” what she taught us about how loving Jesus and being Catholic took on flesh. She allowed us as her children to be become “mercy interns” as we assisted her in the many tasks and looking back today, it was a great gift.
Who have been your models of the “everyday mercy”of Jesus? What might someone write about you one day? Is there someone in your life who is in need of your care?
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MERCY - DAY 28 So many people, including the youth, are returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; through this experience they are rediscovering a path back to the Lord, living a moment of intense prayer and finding meaning in their lives. Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the centre once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy with their own hands. For every penitent, it will be a source of true interior peace.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be quite life-giving. After a particularly meaningful experience within this Sacrament of Healing I actually started singing the song, “Free at Last,” on the way home. It was as if the burden of estrangement had been lifted. This is also true in our human relationships. When two friends experience mercy and are reunited and renewed in their love for each other, it feels like such a relief! My wise grandmother used to tell me: “There are four little words that can end nearly every argument—I could be wrong.” It is only when we are able to admit when we have been wrong, apologize, and make amends that we find interior peace.
When was the last time you sincerely apologized? Are you quick to admit that you “could be wrong?” Do you find it more difficult to forgive or to ask to be forgiven?
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MERCY - DAY 29 Everyone, in fact, without exception, is called to embrace the call to mercy. (MV18)
Youth are often heard asking, “Do I have to?” My reply to that question has always been: “You don’t have to, you get to!” You “get to” do homework with the reward being the opportunity to grow in competency. You “get to” go to church with the reward of growing closer to Jesus and to the People of God. You “get to watch your little sister” with the reward pf helping her to grow up feeling loved and cared about. I have also been known to respond in this way to adults when they complain that the “have to” do something. You “get to” go grocery shopping, grateful that there is food on the shelves and money in your wallet. You “get to” go to work, grateful that you have employment. You “get to” have a colonoscopy, grateful that you have healthcare. The same rings true for mercy. Disciples of Jesus don’t “have to” show mercy— they “get to” show mercy, grateful that they have an opportunity to grow in the likeness of God, drawing others into the Kingdom.
Do you consider showing mercy a chore or an opportunity to share the love you have received from God? Has there been an instance of feeling grateful for the chance to show someone forgiveness? Are you a cheerful giver of mercy?
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MERCY - DAY 30 May the message of mercy reach everyone, and may no one be indifferent to the call to experience mercy. (MV 19)
Have you ever had one of those jaw dropping experiences. For me it was a simple conversation with my son who works for the Department of Corrections. He rarely talks about his work but on one occasion he mentioned that an inmate had passed away on his last shift. Trying to imagine what that was like, I asked him who is “with” a dying inmate. He said that there would be a correction’s officer present but other inmates were trained in pastoral care and hospice. The information and image that came to mind made my heart skip a beat. Tears still come when I think of it. Who knew? May the message of mercy reach everyone? Of course! Jesus finds his way into the heart of anyone who is open to Him. We know the “good thief” found himself face-to-face with God in paradise. And may no one be indifferent to the call to experience mercy…There is something so uncomplicated about the event my son shared with me that day. The inmate who would go through special training and be on 24 hour call to sit at a dying inmate’s side has experienced God’s mercy in his own life. We cannot give what we have not received. I think this event was so powerful for me because I could actually visualize the powerful presence of Jesus in that room. No doubt, I’ve been humbled and my understanding broadened. I am grateful.
How merciful are you toward persons who have made serious mistakes in their lives? Is there a person in your life you are ignoring who is asking for mercy? Have you experience the presence of Jesus in a moment when someone showed you mercy, and if so, how would you describe it? ______
MERCY - DAY 31 Do not fall into the terrible trap of thinking that life depends on money and that, in comparison with money, anything else is devoid of value or dignity. This is nothing but an illusion! We cannot take money with us into the life beyond. Money does not bring us happiness. (MV 19)
Our Financial Planner shared a humorous story about a rich, elderly man’s dying wish. The wish was for his wife to bury the million dollars he made during his lifetime in the coffin with him. She promised to respect his last wishes. After his death the wife spoke to her lawyer about what she should do: she doesn’t want to break her promise, but, she also doesn’t know how she will live without the money for her support. In the end, she writes a one million dollar check and places it in the coffin with her deceased husband, technically fulfilling his last wish. I really couldn’t believe that the gentleman’s money was more important than taking care of his wife or helping someone else in need.
Is mercy like that for us? Do we only want it for ourselves and have trouble with dispensing it to those we love and those who are in need? Are we stingy with mercy, even though God is abundant in mercy for us? What is an area of life in which you might become more generous with your mercy and care for others?
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MERCY - DAY 32 For his part, Jesus speaks several times of the importance of faith over and above the observance of the law. It is in this sense that we must understand his words when, reclining at table with Matthew and other tax collectors and sinners, he says to the Pharisees raising objections to him, “Go and learn the meaning of ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice.’ I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mt 9:13). (MV 20)
It is much easier today for people to name another person’s sickness or sinfulness from afar than to try to understand the root causes or to offer any kind of mercy. Perhaps it is because we do not want to name or encounter our own human failings. Jesus was willing to walk into the messiness of everyone’s life to offer hope, compassion and mercy no matter what anyone said or thought. I think of those who are willing to enter into the messes of those who suffer from addictions and mental illness such as family members and committed volunteers and those who work in prison ministry. They go into places and sit down at the table with no regard to their own comfort. There are no promises for recovery or reconciliation yet mercy and hope is always extended out of love and compassion. As humans and as disciples of Jesus, we have the opportunity to sit on both sides of the table.
How has Jesus been merciful to you in the messiness of your life? When have you been able to lovingly and mercifully been Jesus to another? Which story of Jesus associating with the “wrong kind of people” is most meaningful to you?
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MERCY - DAY 33 Mercy is not opposed to justice but rather expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe. (MV 21)
I recently enjoyed a movie that made a good point of God’s justice and defending your beliefs. The plot centered around a philosophy professor who expects his students to acknowledge that “God is Dead,” or they will fail the class. One student refuses. Because of his choice, he is assigned the task of presenting arguments to the class to convince them that “God is not Dead.” Over the course of the semester, he makes many excellent points about why God must exist. In one scene he asks the professor why he hates God. The outraged professor explodes in rage, saying he hates God for his mother’s death despite his many prayers. At that point, the student asks how the professor can hate a God that he doesn’t believe exists? The student was brave and unwavering in his quest, won the class over and, in the end, inspires the teacher to experience a conversion. It was a powerful message in holding to your ideologies when your faith is challenged.
When have you stood up for the principles you believe in despite arguments from the other side? When have you allowed your perspective to change because of someone standing up for what they think is right? When have you encountered someone who questioned their faith and you chose to reach out to that person with mercy?
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MERCY - DAY 34 If God limited himself to only justice, he would cease to be God, and would instead be like human beings who ask merely that the law be respected. But mere justice is not enough. Experience shows that an appeal to justice alone will result in its destruction. This is why God goes beyond justice with his mercy and forgiveness. Yet this does not mean that justice should be devalued or rendered superfluous. On the contrary: anyone who makes a mistake must pay the price. However, this is just the beginning of conversion, not its end, because one begins to feel the tenderness and mercy of God. God does not deny justice. He rather envelopes it and surpasses it with an even greater event in which we experience love as the foundation of true justice. (MV 21)
There is an insightful movie entitled: “Dying in Prison.” It documents the true story of two inmates in the Hospice Ward of a maximum security prison. One is dying and the other is caring for him. The dying man is a life-long bigot, a member of the KKK. His caregiver is a convicted murderer who is African American. In the end, the dying man’s wish was to have this caregiver with him when he died. Each helped the other to be aware of their own value as human beings. Powerful.
Have you ever found yourself speaking about someone in a way that dehumanized him/ her? Do you believe that everyone has the potential to turn from a pathway of darkness toward the love of Jesus? Can you take time to learn about Catholic Social Teaching on “Restorative Justice” and what efforts are being made in your community?
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MERCY - DAY 35 The Church lives within the communion of the saints. In the Eucharist, this communion, which is a gift from God, becomes a spiritual union binding us to the saints and blessed ones whose number is beyond counting (cf. Rev 7:4). Their holiness comes to the aid of our weakness in a way that enables the Church, with her maternal prayers and her way of life, to fortify the weakness of some with the strength of others. (MV 22)
As a young adult I usually gravitated to church when I wanted something, usually when I was needy and needed some message to “get me thru.” As I grew older and my parents grew older, visiting them always meant setting aside time for Mass with my Mother. It meant a great deal to her to have her kids at Mass. When Mom came to visit me, I enjoyed taking her to Mass, but she could tell that it wasn’t “my church” and that if she wasn’t with me, I probably wouldn’t be attending. When my Mom became ill, and I would spend time with her helping her, she still always made a point of getting to church, even if it meant parking in the back, taking the ramp, using a walker, and sitting in the front row (yikes – the front row of church!). When Mom passed away I felt a pull to church. I could hardly get thru a Mass without getting teary-eyed, and I didn’t know why. I didn’t realize at the time that church was where I felt her presence the most. When I realized it was because I know Mom would love it that I found a church where I feel comfortable, where I find a sense of community, where I can become involved in parish activities. I finally found JOY in church. Now I look forward to going to Mass!
Has there been a difficult time in your life or spiritual journey where church seemed like a sanctuary where you could regain your strength? Has there been a time when that church provided stability in an ever changing world? When have you found church to bring you Joy, or accentuate the Joy you were already feeling?
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MERCY - DAY 36 There is an aspect of mercy that goes beyond the confines of the Church. It relates us to Judaism and Islam, both of which consider mercy to be one of God’s most important attributes. Israel was the first to receive this revelation which continues in history as the source of an inexhaustible richness meant to be shared with all mankind…Among the privileged names that Islam attributes to the Creator are “Merciful and Kind.” They too believe that no one can place a limit on divine mercy because its doors are always open. I trust that this Jubilee year celebrating the mercy of God will foster an encounter with these religions and with other noble religious traditions; may it open us to even more fervent dialogue so that we might know and understand one another better; may it eliminate every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect, and drive out every form of violence and discrimination. (MV 23)
One of the most stirring and memorable moments of Pope Francis’ visit to New York City was the interreligious prayer service for peace at the United Nations. A rabbi and imam alternated leading sections of common prayer with words from the Old Testament, as leaders from a multitude of other religions joined in raising hearts and voices to God. I wept while watching the live televised witness to unity as God’s People, crying out: “perhaps there can really be peace, Lord—You could help us make it so!”
Do you harbor any prejudice against another religion? Do you have any friends or colleagues who practice another religion, and if so, have you ever had a dialogue about finding common ground? How might you learn more about Judaism or Islam?
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MERCY - DAY 37 My thoughts now turn to the Mother of Mercy. No one has penetrated the profound mystery of the incarnation like Mary. Her entire life was patterned after the presence of mercy made flesh. The Mother of the Crucified and Risen One has entered the sanctuary of divine mercy because she participated intimately in the mystery of his love. (MV 24)
After Peter had denied Jesus three times, he was taken back into the fold of disciples. I imagine that it was Mary, Mother of Jesus, who took the time to look Peter in the eyes, approaching him with mercy and her arms opened wide to embrace him, as if to convey: “Peter—Jesus loves you and knows that you love Him.” Who else, but a mother who had been with her Son every step of his life—even unto death on a cross, could offer words with the magnitude of forgiveness that Peter needed to hear?
Who has been a “Mother of Mercy” in your life, showing you an extreme example of forgiveness? Is there any sin that you feel is unforgivable? Have you ever spent time asking Mary, Mother of God to pray for you so that you might become more merciful?
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MERCY - DAY 38 At the foot of the cross, Mary, together with John, the disciple of love, witnessed the words of forgiveness spoken by Jesus. This supreme expression of mercy towards those who crucified him show us the point to which the mercy of God can reach. Mary attests that the mercy of the Son of God knows no bounds and extends to everyone, without exception. Let us address her in the words of the Salve Regina, a prayer ever ancient and new, so that she may never tire of turning her merciful eyes towards us, and make us worthy to contemplate the face of mercy, her Son Jesus. (MV 24)
Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as He cries “I am thirsty.” She hears Him promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words, “Behold your mother.” Mary shows us the importance of allowing the grace of God to give us the strength to be the loving change needed in the world. Her soul magnifies the mercy of the Lord in real, meaningful ways.
Are you willing to look on Mary as your mother, asking her to take your struggles to the heart of her son, Jesus? What are examples from the life of Mary, Mother of God, that you most hope to imitate in your life? Do you believe that God will give you enough grace to forgive someone who has deeply wounded you?
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MERCY - DAY 39 Let us allow God to surprise us. He never tires of throwing open the doors of his heart and repeats that he loves us and wants to share his love with us. (MV 25)
Something that really surprised me during the holiday season was during a day I was volunteering in my son’s classroom. The insight from one 1st grader was so deep and inspiring. I asked one of the children if he was looking forward to opening his Christmas gifts during Christmas Break. He told me that Christmas wasn’t about getting gifts—Christmas was about the birth of Jesus and that’s why it was so special. Wow! A 1st grader who wasn’t all about getting gifts for Christmas but about experiencing the birth of Jesus and how important it is in our lives. How many 1st graders have that type of understanding of what Christmas is?
How do you inspire the younger generation to understand what having Jesus in our lives is really about? Do you speak to others about the gifts of prayer and being part of a parish community? Have you ever invited anyone to come to church with your family? Is it apparent to those who know you that you are a Christian?
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MERCY - DAY 40