The Merciful Path

Dear Friends

Last Sunday after Mass, I got questions about the definition of mercy I shared in the homily. It’s from James F. Keenan SJ and his book, “The Works of Mercy, The Heart of Catholicism”. He writes: “I define mercy as the willingness to enter into the chaos of another.”

It occurred to me later how well this definition describes the works of mercy many parishioners are doing: those involved with the upended world of ICE, accompanying immigrants to court dates and to medical appointments; those serving as mentors to at-risk youth through the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse; parishioners serving at the Cordano Center, and others ministering to brothers and sisters who are ill and homebound in hospitals and homes, unable to get to Sunday Mass.

The “chaos” in the lives of those we serve does not always take the form of a major crisis. In fact, looking at it honestly, mercy enters a chaos latent in the vulnerability of all of our lives as children of God and “earthen vessels.”

Mercy connects our vulnerability with that of others and opens a space for the Holy Spirit, “the giver of life.” In a world ravaged by violence and destruction - note this week’s first reading from Habakkuk - the humble servant draws on the “faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim.) In every Eucharist, Christ, “who humbled himself to share in our humanity,” invites us to take that same path to the Divine. 

Gratefully,

Father Dan ofm, Pastor