This past week, on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis opened “The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy” for Catholics around the world at St. Peter’s in Rome. Although the
Holy Year of Mercy will conclude on the Feast of Christ the King at the end of November, 2016, our Holy Father has asked the Church to use this jubilee year as a training time so that we all live and practice mercy more perfectly throughout our lives. Pope Francis used the declaration that “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy” and that “this truth sums up the mystery of the Christian faith. Jesus’ entire life and person reveals the mercy of God. Our salvation depends upon mercy! Mercy is the bridge that connects God and humanity.” (Stop here a second and think about what the Pope is saying!)
Do we recognize mercy poured out to us from God and others? Are we ourselves good witnesses of mercy in our daily lives?
Archbishop Listecki opened the
Holy Year of Mercy specifically for our Archdiocese by offering a Mass on December 8 and blessing a
“Door of Mercy” that people are invited to pilgrimage to and enter at St. John’s Cathedral. There is a
“Year of Mercy Prayer Card” in our church pews and/or hymnals. You are invited to pray that prayer on your own or, at times, with the entire community that is gathered. On the back of the prayer card are listed the
Corporal Works of Mercy and the
Spiritual Works of Mercy. These various works will be highlighted in a number of ways throughout the year month-by-month. It will be good to reacquaint ourselves with all the works of mercy.
For the
month of December, 2015 we are asked to reflect upon and practice the 1st Spiritual Work of Mercy ---
Instruct the Ignorant. Become more informed about the Year of Mercy from the Archdiocesan Website (www.archmil.org , click on “Jubilee Year of Mercy”) and share some of what you have learned with some one or others. Another action might be to reflect who around you is misinformed or confused about the faith or the Church and lovingly share with them your zeal for Jesus and his Church.
Who has God placed in your life who needs to know more about Jesus and the Catholic faith? Pray to God for the right words to share. Come up with your own ideas on how to act on this Spiritual Work of Mercy.