A Whole Year of Mercy {JEI}

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

It feels like yesterday when on the 8th of December the 'Year of Mercy'  started and the 'Holy Doors' opened to us pilgrims; the 20th of November is very near and on the feast of Christ the King this special Jubilee will end.

Looking back it has been a fruitful year, full of both trials and graces, new life and great losses. It has been a year where as a family we have been able to, not only, rediscover the Mercy of the Father through receiving Confession regularly, but also bringing His mercy with us daily among the people that surrounds us.

Enjoy this week's JEI link up with 'The Zelie Group' .

1. What did you do (or can in these last few weeks!) to mark the year?

The local diocese organised all sorts of activities around this special Jubilee. We attended most of the 'Saints of Mercy' talks, organised several family Pilgrimages, went through the 'Holy Doors' a number of times and got a few Indulgences.

The children drew a picture of both the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy which was then put on the fridge constantly visible and Mercy was at the centre of many conversations around the dinner table and daily life.

We read several 'holy books' to help us in this journey among which 'Divine Mercy for Moms' which naturally led to the desire to read the Diary of Sister Faustina and of course brought us closer to the Divine Mercy devotion. 

Time spent before the 'Blessed Sacrament' was encouraged and most of the listed 'Works of Mercy' practised with the help of God. 

In carrying Maria for 9 months I was greatly encouraged by the beautiful blogpost I read by the title 'The Pregnant Works of Mercy'   it inspired me to consciously live these in my body and my soul.

My journey to become a Billings Method teacher was encouraged by one of works of Mercy to 'instruct the ignorant' category and the first one who needed instruction was me. When it comes to Faith there is so much out there to know, learn and discover I trust in other faithful Catholics to constantly instruct me.


2. What Work of Mercy is easiest or most challenging for you?

To 'Bear patiently the wrong doing' is the spiritual work of mercy I struggle with...I thirst for justice... which at times doesn't match with Christ's justice.  As for the corporal ones, to visit the sick especially in nursing homes is one I still need to practise gracefully.

3. Do you have a story of mercy in your own life to share? Or do you have a favourite saint/quote/resource about mercy to pass along?

For the Year of Mercy my husband and I re-read John Paul II's great encyclical on God the Father entitled 'Dives in Misericordia' or Rich in Mercy. There was a particular passage which really struck us and reminded me why I miss St John Paul II so much. He was such a great lover of man, of all humanity and the awe in which he held the dignity of every human person is always an inspiration to live in a more saintly and dignified way. In speaking of our redemption by Christ St John Paul II said the following:  

"the reality of the Redemption, in its human dimension, reveals the unheard-of greatness of man, 'O Happy fault that merited so great a saviour' (From the Easter Exsultet)" 
(Dives in Misericordia 7)

A wonderful line which reflects on the greatness of God's mercy which recognised in us his creatures such dignity that we 'deserved' so great a saviour. 

Your turn now, leave a comment, share your experience with us:

1. What did you do (or can in these last few weeks!) to mark the year?
2. What Work of Mercy is easiest or most challenging for you?
3. Do you have a story of mercy in your own life to share? Or do you have a favourite saint/quote/resource about mercy to pass along?