Faith Reflection: Mercy—The Beauty of Our Young
This week, as promised, we will begin taking a look at Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), now that we have finished with the thoughtful essays the 7th graders wrote. Francis' letter is a call to holiness for all people in today’s world, and his “modest goal” he said is to “repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities.”
“Let us be spurred on by the signs of holiness that the Lord shows us,” Pope Francis starts off with in his opening chapter, “through the humblest members of that people which ‘shares also in Christ’s prophetic office, spreading abroad a loving witness to him, especially by means of a life of faith and charity.'” As I read that over the weekend I immediately thought of Mrs. Muller who went through the RCIA process this year along with her daughters Christina (7th) and Marlena (5th). Even though I gave a talk to the RCIA group last Fall it was only last month that I realized she was one of our school parents and started noticing Mrs. Muller’s joy and enthusiasm. On Monday I finally stopped and asked her about her journey.
“Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church,” Francis also said in the first chapter. The Pope could easily have been thinking of Mrs. Muller when he wrote that because one of the things she mentioned about her journey this past year was others noting a change in her that in turn has been inspiring to them, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. Her strengthened faith and stronger charity was a witness others found attractive and several people she knows have told her they have started going to church again.
“This holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures,” Francis wrote, encouraging us to begin where we are. This past year has been a “changing point” for Mrs. Muller. Small things have become big things in faith. For example, though she has always lived close with nature, through the RCIA journey she sees more deeply how we are “one with everyone and everything” Small changes as these have brought about a calmer attitude and a fuller understanding that there’s “something bigger than just things.”
Armed with an infectious love for God she talked about how she now asks herself how she can show more love. It all comes down to love and allowing the Lord to work through you so we can be one with everyone and everything. (Jesus, himself, speaks of this oneness in John 17:11.)
Thank you Mrs. Muller for being on fire with the Holy Spirit and for what a witness you have become for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you. Mrs. Alhadef