The Face of Mercy by Fr. Willy Jesena, C.Ss.R.

"We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is the wellspring of joy, serenity
and peace." (Pope Francis). This wellspring flows from the heart of God. Himself.
Perhaps, the first thought we have about mercy is sin. We often hear of mercy in the context of
the forgiveness of sin. Our first petitions in the Eucharist are: Lord, have mercy; Christ, have
mercy; Lord, have mercy. "
However the meaning of mercy takes us beyond forgiveness and leads us to the life center of
the Trinity, Itself. "Mercy, reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity." (Pope Francis).
Mercy is another word for love. It is love viewed from the out-pouring of God's goodness and
generosity. In our experience, it could begin with forgiveness. Then this over-flowing love
(mercy) of God cleanses you and I, making us a worthy dwelling place of God Himself. God is
Love (Mercy) and whoever remains in love, remains in God and God in him." (1 John 4:16).
Mercy then overturns every obstacle to our relationship with God, and makes God so intimately
close to us.
Pope Francis has declared the "Year of Mercy". During this year, the "Holy Door" is opened
in the Cathedrals and other churches chosen by the Bishop. By the "Holy Door", we have a
concrete symbol of the merciful heart of God. In the Psalms, God's merciful heart is revealed in
many ways. They say that God heals broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. He lifts up the
downtrodden and casts the wicked to the ground. He forgives all iniquity. He heals all diseases.
He redeems a persons life from the pit. He crowns the person with steadfast love.. He secures
justice for the oppressed, He gives food to the hungry. He set prisoners free. He opens to eyes of
the blind. He lifts up those who are bowed down. He loves the righteous. He watches over the
sojourners. He upholds the widows and the orphans, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
Jesus lived this merciful life. He is the face of mercy. His life nurtured the people in hope of
the fullness of redemption.
During the Novitiate, this year's novices have seen victims of the unjust and oppressive world.
They visit the sick children, the prisoners and the abandoned children in Sarnelli House. They
had immersion among the physically challenged persons, the lepers, the aetas, the urban slum
dwellers, and the poor farmers and fisher folks
However, in the midst of their miserable and inhuman situations, these people live in trust and
desire for a life of liberation. Trusting in God's mercy, they are being nurtured to hope in a life of
dignity as children of God.
We are all beneficiaries of God's mercy. This" Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy" has been
declared by Pope Francis from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016, so that we will reflect
more deeply on God's mercy and its fruits, and recognizing this reality, we will also be generous
in sharing mercy to everyone. "Be merciful just as your Father is merciful" (Lk6:36).
We ask the Holy Spirit for courage to be merciful. Our Mother of Perpetual Help is our Mother
of Mercy. We entrust to her our growth in a merciful missionary life.