Faith Reflection: Mercy—The Beauty of Our Young
“Holiness is also parrhesia: it is boldness, an impulse to evangelize and leave a mark in this world,” wrote Pope Francis in Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad). This boldness, Francis reminds us, comes from Jesus himself when he said, “Do not be afraid” (Mk 6:50). “These words,” Francis said, “enable us to go forth and serve with the same courage that the Holy Spirit stirred up in the Apostles, impelling them to proclaim Jesus Christ.”
Whether it’s in Gaudete Et Exsultate, his homilies, or speeches the Pope is continually prompting us and encouraging us to act now, to work towards holiness now. “Look at Jesus,” Francis tells us, “His deep compassion reached out to others. It did not make him hesitant, timid, or self-conscious, as often happens with us. Quite the opposite. His compassion made him go out actively to preach and to send others on a mission of healing and liberation.”
Francis doesn’t want us to put off holiness until some seemingly better time in our life. Now is the time and boldness and passion are another set of those “five great expressions of love for God and neighbor” that Francis considers essential to growing in holiness. They are also an essential part of mission—that missionary discipleship that we are called to through our baptism.
Francis understands we are weak, that we often are tempted to “flee to a safe haven” when confronted with challenges. But he also knows that if we “open the doors of our hearts to Jesus” we can be filled with boldness and passion that will move us well beyond any complacency that tells us we can’t change things. We will instead be “unsettled by the living and effective word of the risen Lord.” And we will be pleasantly surprised by the good that will happen.
This Friday begins the annual Flores de Mayo Novena, a beautiful Filipino tradition to honor our Blessed Mother during this month dedicated to her. Filled with the Holy Spirit Mary was most certainly bold and courageous when she gave her fiat to God. Please join us at 7p at the Olive Church as SHA leads the first night. Please see the parish bulletin to know the times and locations for each night. The novena concludes Saturday, May 12th with Mass and a reception in the Olive hall afterwards.
Thank you. Mrs. Alhadef