Catholic Commission for Social Justice
This year Justice, Peace and Community Week (JPCW) falls within the Holy Year of Mercy. The week runs from Saturday, October 22 to Saturday 29. The theme is Living as credible witnesses to God’s Mercy.
All parishes, departments and organisations are urged to observe the week by organising activities and/or by participating in activities listed in the calendar of events published in Catholic News and on CCSJ’s website.
All people of goodwill have been invited by Pope Francis to join the Catholic Church in observing this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy which he has initiated, under the theme: “Merciful Like the Father”. It is taken from the Beatitudes. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”.
“Mercy is the garment of light which the Lord has given to us in Baptism. We must not allow this light to be extinguished; on the contrary, it must grow within us every day and thus bring to the world God’s glad tidings…God’s mercy accompanies us daily. To be able to perceive his mercy it suffices to have a heart that is alert” (Pope Benedict XVI, 2007).
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, established by Pope St John Paul II in 2000.
As he said at the Canonisation of Sr Mary Faustina Kowalska (2000): “Christ has taught us that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but is also called to practise mercy towards others: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’ (Mt 5: 7)… Humanity must let itself be touched and pervaded by the Spirit given to it by the risen Christ. It is the Spirit who heals the wounds of the heart, pulls down the barriers that separate us from God and divide us from one another, and at the same time, restores the joy of the Father’s love and of fraternal unity.”
Today’s Gospel, John 8:1-11, reminds me of the title of Pope Francis’ first book: “The name of God is Mercy” (Jan. 12), in which he reveals his vision of God’s mercy in a series of interviews with Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli (July 2015).
The Old Testament Law prescribed the death penalty for a long list of crimes, including adultery. John’s account demonstrates God’s mercy and reminds us that we are all sinners – saved by God’s loving mercy and by the sacrifice of His son on the cross. So, let us not judge others and appear to be self-righteous as the Scribes and Pharisees, who were hoping to trap Jesus. We are called to be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful.
“May the season of Lent in this Jubilee year be lived more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy.” (Pope Francis)
CCSJ urges readers to reflect on Pope Francis’ 2016 Lenten Message. His theme this year is: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13) – The works of mercy on the road of the Jubilee.
It is divided into three parts:
1. Mary, the image of a Church which evangelises because she is evangelised.
2. God’s covenant with humanity: a history of mercy.
3. The works of mercy.