We are just two/three days into a new year. New Year’s resolutions have been made and maybe, some, already broken. It is my hope and prayer that you will, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, make new New Year’s resolutions today.
We enter the new year with readings expressing a time of hope. Our first reading from Isaiah was likely written at the time the Israelites were released from exile and returned to the promised land. Truly a manifestation of a divine presence—by the mercy of God. In the second reading, we are reminded that this divine presence, formerly hidden, is now revealed to the Gentiles–even to those from the east –the magi.
You might recall a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that each of the gospels has a different focus/emphasis. Of the four Gospels, only Matthew and Luke include the Christmas story—the birth of Jesus. Today’s Gospel with the magi is Matthew’s Christmas story, just as the shepherds coming to the stable is Luke’s Christmas story, heard on Christmas day. The two accounts are quite distinct from each other and carry a different message. In Luke, the emphasis is on Jesus being God’s revelation to the poor and the rejected (the shepherds). In Matthew, the emphasis is on the universality of Jesus’ mission (the visitation of foreigners, the magi).
Today’s celebration, then, is reminding us that for God there are no foreigners, no outsiders. Everyone can pray “our” Father. There are no exceptions. And, if God is the Father of every person, then every single person in this world is my sister or brother. We are called today to live life in such a way that in our words to and about people; in our actions with people, we will never act in any way other than as a caring brother or sister.
On Epiphany we stand in awe of the revealed mystery of the Word made flesh. As the result of the ‘epiphany’ everything now appears in a different light. In Christ, all the world has seen God, and all peoples have become coheirs to the Kingdom of God. The bright star that guided the Magi to the child Jesus continues to guide us to God’s loving embrace.
At our Baptism, each of us received a candle lit from the light of Christ (the Easter Candle). We were instructed to keep the flame burning brightly. We are now a people of the Light. Just as the light of the star guided the Magi to the baby Jesus, the light of Jesus guides us to be caring brothers or sisters.
How brightly does the light we have received reflect the love of God? Are we each and every day beacons of hope and joy? Where is the light of Christ taking us today, tomorrow, and in the days ahead?
For the Church and for each of us this year is the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. For each of us, and together as a community of faith, let us resolve to be a light, a beacon of mercy. As Pope Francis has said, “we are to be the face of mercy.” We are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us. In his proclamation of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “it is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Jesus introduces us to these works of mercy in his preaching so that we can know whether or not we are living as his disciples.”
We have a pretty good idea what the corporal works of mercy are, found in Isaiah and the gospel of Matthew. I encourage you to reflect in 2016 on how you might become the face of mercy in very tangible ways.
-feed the hungry. But besides giving food to the poor, we are called to improve the economic and social structures so as to eliminate poverty.
-give drink to the thirsty. And provide unpolluted water and restore ecological balance especially in areas of poverty.
-clothe the naked. The naked are those stripped of human dignity and power as well as those in need of clothing, bedding and the necessary tools/skills to make a living wage.
-visit the imprisoned. And those we alienate because of racism, sexual orientation, class distinction, the homeless, all the alienated and marginalized
– visit the sick. Providing companionship, prayer and support to the elderly and home bound. Providing a kind word to the stranger, those in need of emotional support
-bury the dead. Be present to those who have lost ones by attending wakes and funerals. Provide companionship and pastoral care to the dying and their loved ones.
In each of these acts of mercy, we must remember to pray for the strength and courage to get out of our own comfort zone to be our Lord’s ambassadors of love and hope. Difficult, yes, but let us resolve today to do so!!
The spiritual works of mercy we do not often hear about. They are also rooted in Scripture. Like all acts of mercy, they are acts of love although, I suspect, more challenging and demanding for each of us.
-give correction to the sinner- a person may not want to hear his or her actions are leading them away from God and neighbor BUT setting a good example can be instructive to such people.
-instruct the ignorant- instruction is to inform and correct misunderstandings and prejudices that are based on ignorance or fear. Your advice helps people see things from a different point of view and invites them to conversion.
-counsel the doubtful- doubt can take many forms such as doubt about one’s faith, about one’s self, about relationships. Good counsel can come in many forms such as spiritual advise, good example and patient presence to the other. It requires an empathetic presence and attentiveness to meet the emotional needs of the other.
-bear wrongs patiently- it requires fortitude to endure the stresses and strain without causing more suffering. Humility is essential. As it is said “two wrongs don’t make it right.” Be patient with others.
-forgive offenses willingly- maybe the most difficult of all aspects of mercy. As Martin Luther King wrote in 1957, “forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act; it means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.” And, Pope Francis reminds us to let go of anger, wrath, violence and revenge, if we are to live joyfully.
-pray for the living and the dead- prayers are a powerful source of hope and love. Praying unites us with the communion of saints–a bond that brings us together in God’s mercy.
These are all acts of charity and compassion. They are the manifestation of mercy; they are done freely. Works of mercy are rooted in profound respect for others as persons made in God’s image and likeness.
Our Holy Father reminds us that mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instils in us the courage to look to the future with hope. What better way to begin the new year. Let us resolve to be merciful like the father.
And resolve to gather with fellow parishioners on Saturday, Jan 23 for our retreat on mercy.
May the joy and hope of the Christmas Season forever be in your hearts.