Becoming Extraordinary Faces of Mercy

March 6, Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Daniel 9:4b-10, Luke 6:36-38

Our readings invite us to revisit the Jubilee of Mercy of 2015, whose theme was derived from today’s Gospel: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36). This jubilee was called “extraordinary” as it was celebrated out of the “ordinary” 25-year cycle of jubilees. But diving even deeper, this is a gentle reminder of the extraordinary duty we must uphold as Christians: to become living witnesses to God’s mercy.

This mission of mercy comes to us in twofold ways: by asking for God’s forgiveness and mercy and turning toward our brothers and sisters to share the mercy that we have received.

In the First Reading, the Prophet Daniel leads the people of Israel in asking for God's forgiveness. The admission of the guilt of sin is the very first step back to the Father’s mercy. We set aside our pride to bow to His authority that surpasses all things. This culminates in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we repent from our sins and experience the fullness of His forgiveness.

After being nourished spiritually in confession, we turn to our brothers and sisters to share the mercy that we have received. 

The Gospel provides us with great examples: stop judging, stop condemning, always forgive, and be selfless in giving; and there is no better person to emulate in these things than Jesus Himself. He embraced the sinners and gave them a chance of redemption. He welcomed the poor, the sick, and the weary. And with His dying breath, He lovingly expressed words of forgiveness. In everything, Jesus has shown that He is indeed “Misericordia Vultus” - the Face of Mercy – of the Father.

Just as Jesus shines through His merciful love, we too can by making ordinary things quite extraordinary. Every small act of charity is a huge wave of mercy into the hearts of other people, which is the most meaningful gift that we can give. 

We must be brave in loving our enemies, bringing healing to those with a broken heart, and accepting outcasts longing for belongingness. If we can offer a piece of ourselves in every little thing that we do, we truly become God’s extraordinary faces of mercy. Even little acts of charity can become an extraordinary experience of mercy.