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28 Feb 2016 - Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle C

Not long ago a professor at a Christian college created controversy when she expressed her solidarity with Muslim students by wearing a hijab and stating that Christians and Muslims “worship the same God.” Though some, including the college’s administration, were shocked by the teacher’s statement, Catholics rallied to the professor’s side. Why? Because Catholics do believe that Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship the same God, even if our understandings of the manifestations and revelations of that God are quite diverse. When my daughter was baptized, the priest made specific reference to the “Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham.” He chose his words carefully because he wanted to make sure that my husband, a Bosnian Muslim, appreciated that our daughter was being baptized into a faith that had ancient and common roots with Judaism and Islam. Pope Francis stated in his Bull at the start of the Holy Year of Mercy, Misericordiae Vultus: “There is an aspect of mercy that goes beyond the confines of the church.” He urged Catholics to use the Year of Mercy as an opportunity to learn about Islam and other religions to “eliminate every form of close-mindedness and disrespect . . . violence and discrimination.” Mercy connects Christians to Judaism and Islam, both of which also consider mercy to be one of God’s most important attributes. As that college professor quickly learned, many are scandalized by such mercy. But it is that very mercy that the God of our fathers calls us to embrace.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

Mercy Holy Year of Mercy Islam Muslims religious tolerance

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The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website

Holy Year of Mercy

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Go and do likewise

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

While in prison John the Baptist sent a couple of his disciples to Jesus with a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Why wasn’t John sure? Perhaps because he had been hearing stories of Jesus’ deeds of compassion and mercy, not of the righteous judgment he was expecting from a bona-fide Messiah. In response Jesus simply pointed to what had been going on because of him—“the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them.” Of these signs, Christ says, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard.” Those words went out not only to John’s disciples but also to us. Broadcast some Good News today by being a source of comfort and consolation to someone who is sick, physically challenged, poor, or disillusioned. Readings: Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Luke 7:18b-23. “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God.”

Holy Year of Mercy john the baptist

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How much wrong we do ...

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy. We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event God’s judgment will always be in the light of his mercy. —Pope Francis, in the Mass marking the start of the Holy Year of Mercy

Holy Year of Mercy

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Put some muscle in your faith

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

Valerian and Tiburtius became converts to Christianity during the third century through the urging and inspiration of Saint Cecilia. They, along with Saint Cecilia, were martyred for their faith. What capital crimes did Valerian and Tiburtius commit against the state? They buried their dead, which was against the Roman law. Burying the dead is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy—deeds that have to do with providing bodily comfort. The others are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, tending to prisoners, sheltering the homeless, and visiting the sick. In memory of these early martyrs, practice a work of mercy this week. Readings: Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5; Luke 21:1-4. “These follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”

Holy Year of Mercy corporal works of mercy burying the dead

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If I did not believe ...

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

If I did not believe . . . that the works of mercy do lighten the sum total of suffering in the world, the problem of evil would indeed be overwhelming. —Dorothy Day, On Pilgrimage

Holy Year of Mercy corporal works of mercy

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The prodigal father’s parable

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

Accused of hanging out with sinners, Jesus tells one of his best stories. “A man had two sons,” the elder (oh-so-good) and the younger (not-so-much). It’s a story about extravagance and wastefulness—prodigality—but not the son’s. The “prodigal father’s” affection and forgiveness go overboard, a spendthrift with his love. The parable closes with a party dad throws for his son who “once was lost and now is found,” but the older son refuses to join the celebration, so that the father has to beg him to go beyond his joyless (self-)righteousness. The father actually runs out to meet a son twice: once to kiss the errant, broken younger one and then to bring into the warmth that stubborn elder one. Jesus still “consorts with sinners,” no manner which kind we are.

prodigal son prodigal father Holy Year of Mercy

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The mark of the sinner

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

The checkout clerk looked at you kind of funny. “You’ve got something on your forehead,” she said, unaware of Ash Wednesday. We spend the day with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. We’re proud to be Catholic, but we’re a little uneasy about appearing in public wearing such a strange sign. Some think the ashes mark the righteous, those who go to church. But in reality it expresses our need for repentance. Jesus calls those who need the mercy and compassion of God so that the life-changing power of forgiveness might be experienced. Lent is a time for us to become familiar with that saving power.

Holy Year of Mercy Ash Wednesday

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Let us . . . remember Peter

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

Let us . . . remember Peter: three times he denied Jesus, precisely when he should have been closest to him; and when he hits bottom he meets the gaze of Jesus who patiently, wordlessly, says to him: “Peter, don’t be afraid of your weakness, trust in Me.” Peter understands, he feels the loving gaze of Jesus and he weeps. How beautiful is this gaze of Jesus—how much tenderness is there! Brothers and sisters, let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God! —Pope Francis

Holy Year of Mercy Peter

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A good point to raise

Holy Year of Mercy reflections for your bulletin or website - The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections

"They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” That’s what Mary of Magdala wondered when she was the first to find Christ’s empty grave. Though she mistakenly thought at first that others had robbed the tomb, her question was important: Where had Jesus gone? It seems he chose to walk the earth again for a while before ascending to the right hand of God. And—let’s hope—he continues to walk in each of our lives. Easter Day begins an octave, eight days that remind us that every day is Easter and that we are a people of the Resurrection who believe in love, joy, forgiveness, and life in all forms—including the eternal variety. Show that you believe in what the risen Christ stands for by doling out love, mercy, and kindness in generous portions these eight days and beyond.

Holy Year of Mercy mary magdalene

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