JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY
Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy starting December
8, 2015 and ending November 20, 2016. As Pope Francis notes mercy is love
into action. Because of that St. Matthew Parish will monthly offer insights
into the spiritual and corporeal works of mercy. It is an invitation for us to
put mercy into action. We will offer “Five More” suggestions for all of us
to consider. Enjoy the Jubilee Year of Mercy!!
JANUARY
Forgive Injuries
Then Peter approaching Jesus asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you,
not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22
So many people including young people, are returning to the Sacrament of
Reconciliation…Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the center 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. Pope Francis,
Misericordiae Vultus, 17
If God were not willing to forgive sin, heaven
would be empty. German proverb
“FIVE MORE” SUGGESTIONS
1. Peace from The Prayer Process Card (Step 4): Ask God to forgive you
for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person,
or Him) and to fill you with a deep abiding peace. (The Prayer Process
Cards are available in the Gathering Space for you and to pass to
others)
2. Have you been hurt by someone? Has the hurt been on your heart for
a long time? Losing sleep? The hurt running your life? It has been
said, that a lack of forgiveness is drinking poison and expecting the
other person to die. What “poison” have you been drinking that is
weighing you down so that you are unable to live, laugh and love?
Name it. Embrace It. Then “Let It Go” by writing it on a card and
placing it in the Five More Basket in Church. Take this step and be
open to God’s mercy for yourself and the person who hurt you.
3. Have a deep seated hurt and need help? Give a call to Catholic
Charities (272-8234) or some counseling organization and start the
process of healing for your sake and the sake of your loved ones. You
are worth it!
4. Fifth Step of AA (Alcoholic Anonymous): There are several steps that
are used in a 12 step program to help drug addicts and alcoholics to
start their continued recovery with addiction. The fifth step is
“Admitting of wrongs to themselves and God.” Do a moral inventory
of your actions and actions done to you that have caused injury.
5. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and
a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is
evil…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…For it
you love those you love you, what reward have you? Do not even the
tax collectors do the same?” (Mt 5:38-46) Drop the “eye for an eye”
approach to your life by going to the Rite of Reconciliation and/or
praying for your “enemies” on a regular basis.