"Open wide the doors for Christ!"
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-francis-martha-mary-lazarus-inserted-roman-calendar.html
A Message From a Beloved Doctor of the Church
Sep 10, 2018
"Bring, then, your tears and your sweat, you and my other servants. Draw them from the fountain of my divine love and use them to wash the face of my bride. I promise you that thus her beauty will be restored. Not by the sword or by war or by violence will she regain her beauty, but through peace and through constant and humble prayers and sweat and tears poured out by my servants with eager desire...your patience will spread light into the darkness in all the world's evil. Do not be afraid: Though the world may persecute you, I am at your side and never will my providence fail you.
- St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue Chapter 15
A Reflection on Divine Mercy
Blessed Are the Merciful
Now that the Jubilee Year of Mercy has ended, I am taking this opportunity to
deeply reflect on its’ profound message: “Merciful like the Father” (Lk 6:36). With God’s grace, that
message will resound in our hearts in the days to come until it becomes a part of us and active in all our
dealings with one another. Thus, we have dealings that are more challenging than others are; just as I
had a few months ago.
It was “move-in day” for my daughter who was returning to campus life for her senior year at
Penn State University. Upon arriving, it was plain to see that parking around the apartment building
where she would be living was a free-for- all. We found a good parking space for the SUV- a rental that I
was driving. All was going well even though hundreds of students and their families were sharing a
single elevator! Using a small cart left over from numerous World Youth Day pilgrimages, we moved
everything into the apartment in only five trips. However, as is often the case, we discovered that we
needed a trip to the nearest hardware store for a few items. Upon returning, we had to find another
convenient parking space. We parked and all seemed well until we decided to leave the complex once
again for a late dinner. Upon entering the parking lot, our mouths gaped in disbelief when we saw the
SUV being hoisted onto a flatbed tow truck! “What?” I pleaded with the driver to understand! What did
he mean I was in a “permit only” space? He pointed to a sign above us. I never saw that sign. But he
turned out to be the most unempathetic person I have ever encountered. Lurching over me, he said,
“Seventy-five dollars, lady… and if you keep talking it’ll be one hundred and twenty-five dollars five
minutes from now!” I was incredulous at his insensitivity. And I told him so! Just then, the woman who
reported the vehicle showed on the scene. He pointed to her. Again, I pleaded and apologized profusely
but she just walked away. Long story short, I paid the seventy-five dollars. While still trying to process
what had just happened, I had to make sense out of it somehow and began using the whole episode as a
teaching moment for my daughter. Calling to mind The Jubilee Year of Mercy,
there I was pleading for mercy of a sort, but it was falling on deaf ears and hardened hearts. In contrast
Scripture says, “Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness”. (Psalm
103:8). Also, “Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in your compassion wipe out my
offense”. (Psalm 51:3) Moreover, Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount announced, “Blest are they who
show mercy; mercy shall be theirs”. (Mt. 5:7)
This experience gave me a very long pause. With greater confidence now, I
believe, at the end of my life when I stand before the throne of the Almighty God and Father, He will
look upon me with His eyes and heart full of mercy for my many sins and weaknesses. And Our Lord
Jesus will be my Mediator! Then I will join the Psalmist in proclaiming, “Justice and judgment are the
foundation of your throne; kindness and truth go before you”. (Psalm 89:15)
For me, one of the most inspiring demonstrations of mercy was captured in the famous
image of Pope John Paul II sitting quietly with his would-be assassin who repented of his grave
offense against him. How do we begin to offer mercy to those who have wounded us? We begin with
earnest prayer, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and worthy reception of the Bread of Life.
“Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
This is the invitation to transformation, as we cannot do this apart from the Source of Mercy. This is the
path to another way to live. Another way to love.
Well, back to that day for a minute. When we returned from our dinner break, I was certain to
find a parking meter this time! One more trip up the elevator. With the move-in
complete, followed by hugs and kisses, I said good-bye to my daughter and wished her the best for the
fall semester. I also told her to save room for Jesus in her life (i.e., get involved with campus ministry
and to continue to attend Sunday mass) amidst her busy senior year.
It was nightfall when I got into the rental - alone this time. Checking voicemail, I learned that an
employee on my staff walked off the job a few hours earlier due to personal problems leaving the
department scrambling for coverage. During the drive home, I contemplated the mercy of God with
every mile marker. At the end of our earthly pilgrimage, we won’t be pleading to a stranger
but rather a merciful Father. The parable of the Prodigal Son is for all of us as
we are a long way off from admitting our errors and meanderings. The Father’s love “endures all
things”. He doesn’t run after us as much as He runs toward us when we are sincerely sorry for our faults.
As far as the errant employee, I quickly realized the need for me to handle this case with genuine
compassion and a renewed capacity within me to allow for her human weakness.
And if you can believe it, several weeks later, I returned to the college town to attend a football
game with my daughter. Upon heading home that evening, I discovered a dead car battery. I called for
roadside assistance and yep, you guessed it! My favorite tow truck driver showed up. I didn’t dare
remind him of our first discordant meeting. But this time I thanked him for rescuing me
before getting on the road. Then, he put extra air in my tires and wished me a safe trip!
So, Pope Francis has awakened us to the opportunity to grow in the practice of the
corporeal and spiritual works of mercy. The celebration hasn’t ended at all. It has only just begun. I will
keep the message in my rear view mirror - so to speak - at all times.
(Published Pittsburgh Catholic Magazine 2017 Vol.8, No.6)
Year of Faith October 11, 2012 - November 24, 2013
ROME
October 11, 2012 was a glorious day in Rome. The temperature was around 78 degrees and there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a summer's day all over again. I was thrilled to sit in the sun in Saint Peter's Square for the papal mass which commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the commencement of the Second Vatican Council. I was there as a pilgrim traveling with our Bishop, David A. Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. I was among 160 pilgrims in our group. The mass also initiated this Year of Faith.
One of the essential themes of Pope Benedict's homily was the New Evangelization. For me, the saying, all dressed up and nowhere to go came to mind. I considered it as a metaphor for the New Evangelization. Indeed, we are all dressed up. Through our Baptism we have "put on Christ" (Gal 3:27). As members of the Body of Christ, we are "the light of the world". (Mt 5:14) So, where are we to go? Jesus told his apostles "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19). Likewise, the Holy Father has commissioned us to focus on the newly proclaimed Year of Faith in order that we may submerge ourselves anew into the font of Grace. So we begin with ourselves.
To be continued...
HABEMUS PAPAM!
"And now let us begin this journey: Bishop and people. This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches. A journey of brotherhood, of love, of trust between us. Let us always pray for one another."
Pope Francis I
March 13, 2013
