The parish theme this year, “Hold Us in Your Mercy,” is a call to our parish to enter the mystery of our faith, into the Mystery of Christ. Amid a world that feels out of our control, whether from natural disasters, illness, or tragedy, our faith remains a resting place. Christ waits with unceasing love for us to turn back from distraction, fear, and anxiousness and into His embrace. Fr. Drew has shared with our parish a favorite line of his: Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived as gracefully, gratefully, and graciously as you can. What does it look like to held in God’s mercy? To see the world and others with God’s eyes? To see and to love beyond sin, real or imagined, and into goodness, compassion, and abiding love?  

Mercy, as Fr. Drew has challenged us, goes so much further than an act of forgiveness. John Paul II just might high five our pastor with that statement. This great Saint and former Pope emphasized that forgiveness is a “fruit of mercy.” Mercy, rather, is a disposition or “attitude” of agapeic love – a love that is steadfast, unceasing, and good (Dives in Misericordia, ftn. 52). Mercy is an abiding love that readies us for forgiveness. Looking even further back into our Church’s tradition, renown medieval theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas, claimed that the greatest attribute of God is His mercy. We can say with little doubt that God is good, just, holy, and powerful. Yet His mercy remains at the forefront of His very Being. Scripture reveals this to us in God’s unconditional love for the Israelites when they wander from His side time and again. God reveals this to us in the gift of His Son, whose sole desire is to love us and therefore provide every opportunity to bring us back into that love. Can we see that in our own lives? Can we see beyond the surface of what blinds us to God’s love and embrace the hidden gifts, the grace, through which we can rest in God’s love?  

The prophets, just like they called the Israelites back to God, continue to call us as well. From a favorite scripture quote of Fr. Drew, the prophet Isaiah invites us to live in God’s mercy: By waiting and by calm, you shall be saved; in quiet and in trust your strength lies. The Lord is waiting to show you favor. He will whisper in your ear. This is the way – walk in it...” (Isaiah 30)

Dr. Christine Hernandez  |  Director of Faith Formation