The Name of God Is Mercy
Listening to the Spirit
Thank you, Lord, for being with us today.
Thank you, Lord, for sharing our sorrows.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us hope.
Thank you, Lord, for your great mercy
Thank you, Lord, because you wanted to be like one of us.
Thank you, Lord, because you remain ever close to us, even when we carry our crosses.
Lord, may no one rob us of hope.
Listening to the Word
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Reflection
I vividly remember the day when Pope Francis visited Tacloban on January 17, 2015. I was sitting in front of the TV following the pastoral visit of the Pope to the Philippines. During the Eucharistic celebration at the Tacloban Airport, in his homily, the Holy Father said:
“When I witnessed this disaster (typhoon Yolanda) from Rome, I felt that I had to be here. That is when I decided to come here. I wanted to come to be with you... I am here to tell you that Jesus is Lord; that Jesus does not disappoint. Jesus is Lord! And He is Lord from the cross; from there he reigned. That is why...he can understand us; he became like us in every way. So we have a Lord who is able to weep with us, who can be at our side through life’s most difficult moments. Many of you looked to Christ and asked: “Why Lord?” To each of you, the Lord responds from his heart. I have no other words to say to you. Let us look to Christ: he is the Lord, and he understands us, for he experienced all the troubles we experience.”
These words of consolation brought people to tears of joy. Pope Francis’ message offers only a glimpse of what we mean when we say that God is a compassionate Father or God-with-us. Nevertheless, a glimpse of compassion means a lot for us human beings who long for Love.
On the way to Jerusalem where he would complete his mission, Jesus encountered so many people. And it was on the way to Jerusalem that Jesus heard the cry of the Ten Lepers, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” And when Jesus saw them, he said: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
Perhaps, it’s so difficult for the Ten lepers to come closer to the Priest in the Temple. There are so many rules to be followed. But, they addressed their hope to the Master, who always preaching and doing miracles on the street. Jesus heard the desperate voice of the Ten Lepers. Jesus, the Master, after hearing and seeing their suffering, he healed them. In Jesus, the outsider sees God who’s name is Mercy.
In fact, throughout his ministry, Jesus proclaims God’s mercy through words and deeds. The gospel tells us that he was always moved to compassion when he saw the sick, the crowds who were hungry and thirsty, and the sinners. He healed the sick, forgave sinners, and welcomed strangers.
Reflection Questions
Gospel Reflections
Allowing Jesus to Change Us
Who Is Jesus for Me? From Encounter to Mission
