Christ Jesus, teach me your paths and lead me in your truth...

Psalm 25
 
Taking paths of self-centredness and indulgence, where I am seeking pleasure, success, comfort and security, I do not find the footsteps of Jesus. On such paths, grief, failure and suffering have no place, and make no sense. However, with Christ's transforming power and wisdom, the realities of grief, failure and suffering often bear the fruits of wisdom, faith, hope and love. As much as I take paths of mercy, both received and given, I am able to find the same paths through life as Jesus.
It is there that I meet Christ, and find healing, as well as joy, peace, and the truth of Mercy itself. There the realities of grief, failure and suffering bear the fruits of wisdom, faith, hope and love. Christ Jesus, teach me your paths and lead me in your truth.
 
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff –they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
 
Nothing graces the Christian soul so much as mercy.
Saint Ambrose                         
 
Jubilee Year of Mercy.  This past week Pope Francis opened the door, both literally and figuratively, to the Jubilee year of Mercy. From now until November 30th, 2016, we are invited to deeply comprehend what it means to embrace the Mercy of God more and more fully, and then to extend Mercy to all around us... sisters, brothers, children, spouses, parents, other relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues, foreigners in our midst ... everyone.  Let us all live into the graces of this special year of Mercy.
 
Soli gloriam dei .