Love is the point of departure for power. Saint Luke in the second chapter of his Gospel creates tension regarding true power, contrasting the worldly idea to the power of God that is soon to be manifested in the humble Child in Bethlehem. Real power, we will see from Jesus’ life beginning at his birth, is the power to love. A love that doesn’t dominate, but humbles Itself and desires us to participate in his glorious life.
Pope Francis’ third modern beatitude asks us to help others to be able participate in this divine life Jesus wants to share with us when he says, “Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover him.” Prescott’s essay delves into this same theme which is why his is being used this week.
Mercy Essay
by Prescott
What is mercy? To show compassion towards others. Compassion is to show sympathy towards others. Sympathy is the capacity to share feeling with a person. So, how can we, Disciples of Christ, show mercy towards others? What can we do to help others, but also spread God’s message?
What if we helped out at a food kitchen? Not only would we be helping out the poor, and those who worked there, we would also be able to share the good news of Christ with people all around us. If we are more respectful towards teachers while they are talking, we will be able to make the teachers feel like they are helping us in our learning. We will also be able to hear what they are saying to us about God.
Finally, we can spend time with our families and friends, playing with them, helping them with chores, and most of all, sharing Christ’s message with our family. If we show these acts of mercy in our daily lives, we will become better people, and finer disciples of God.
Please note, El Carmelo will not have Adoration on 26 December, the Monday night after Christmas.
Our canned food total for December was 4.5 bins. Very nice, considering we only had two school Masses this month. We also collected a bin full of Mission boxes - I don't know what that equals in dollars and cents, but I know it will go a long way towards helping others in need. Thank you for your generosity.
May you all have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.
Thank you. Mrs. Alhadef