LET US NOW CONCENTRATE ON THE YEAR OF MERCY!

OK, let me now put aside the Synod and my disappointments, the Diocese and my disappointments, and the parishes and my disappointments.   The Year of Mercy is now almost upon us.  So we cannot behave like spoiled little children any more when we are asked to put the loving mercy of Christ first and think about just how far from that mercy we are.   And if we are far from his mercy how can we talk about bringing other people to Him.

Do we understand Confession is a Sacrament and helps us to move towards holiness or are we content just to be good?  Is being good and being holy the same thing?   The Year of Mercy will help us reflect on this.

If Christ asked his disciples to teach all nations to 'observe all he had commanded' are we at liberty to ignore this and cling to a lifestyle which in our experience does not harm anyone?   Are we certain of our self proclaimed Gospel?  Did Christ teach only rules we could never live up to?

What about our children, do we help them to follow Christ or do we just turn a blind eye to the mess around them and tell them to give to the poor?

Do we promote marriage and divorce just as the secular society does?    Do we tell hurt people it was only an ideal so if they meet someone else they can still be good Catholics and receive Communion.  Or perhaps on the other hand we are full of judgement and advise them it would be better if they did not come to Church?   Do we know the difference between actual grace and sacramental grace?   Does either advise bring to them the love of God they still have and will never be taken from them.

Do we offer our children a Church that is challenging, that has a mission to spread the Gospel, a Church where angels and saints, and our Mother Mary is cheering them on and that being good and apostolic is really worthwhile - they can really make a difference.   Or do we just smother them in a 'loving community'?  Do we see the problems beyond the front door of the Church?

Is Jesus and Church just for Sunday?

There is so much to be done during the Year of Mercy.  Let us start planning now?

          

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