Prayer Resource - Mercy Partners

Transcription

Prayer
Resource
FOR BOARD MEETINGS
DURING THE YEAR OF MERCY 2016
Mercy is the
Lord’s most
powerful
message
© 2016 Mercy Partners. All rights reserved.
– Pope Francis
MERCY PARTNERS 07 3267 5840 [email protected] | PO Box 424 Banyo Q 4014 | Lvl 2 McAuley Bldg 131 Queens Road Nudgee Q 4014
I
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JUB
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ORDI N
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E OF ME
USING THESE PRAYER RESOURCES IN THE YEAR OF MERCY
Prayer is essential at the commencement of a Board Meeting for focus, to reinforce Catholic identity and to
call God’s blessings on the proceedings. Prayer time is also formative as it allows those present to examine
aspects of life, faith and experience.
The prayers in this package focus on the nature of mercy and its application personally and communally as
the Year of Mercy unfolds. Many of the ideas are taken from The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis.
The structure of each prayer is the same:
• A quote, picture or other focus for gathering – quiet background music is recommended for this
part of the prayer and the lighting of a candle. A focus question has been included. (Allow 3 to 5
minutes for this section).
• A scripture or other chosen reading is provided with a short conceptual or contextual statement if
needed. Once the reading has been shared, a few minutes of quiet contemplation should be allowed
for focus on the reflection questions. (Allow 3 to 5 minutes for this section).
• A sharing of responses which is critical for formation and the development of a community of
prayer. Leaders should stress that reflection time is not commentary on the thoughts of others but
simply a time to share what ideas or thoughts the questions and readings have raised. (Allow 7 to 10
• An intercessional prayer which can be led by one of the board members or said together. At this
time, board members could be asked for any specific prayer intentions or remembrances. (Allow 3 to 5
• A blessing and additional text which could be used to close the meeting or, if preferred, used at the
conclusion of the opening prayer.
Depending on the level of sharing it is estimated that these reflections will take 15 to 25 minutes. They are
offered as a guide to key ideas about mercy and can be supplemented with additional readings or other
ritual elements such as the use of oil for anointing, sprinkling of water, sign of peace and other symbolic
actions.
Like the open door at the centre of the Year of Mercy, prayer and sharing are a catalyst for change. They let
in the Spirit of wisdom, presence, thanksgiving and communion.
They invite participants to open their hearts to new ways of seeing and understanding.
They bring God to the forefront of the meeting: its business, concerns, challenges and interactions.
LET US NOT BE CLOSED TO THE NEWNESS THAT GOD WANTS TO BRING INTO OUR LIVES …
MERCY IS THE LORD’S MOST POWERFUL MESSAGE … (POPE FRANCIS)
Visit Mercy Partners website to download a printable version of this resource for
your Board: www.mercypartners.org.au/year-of-mercy-resources
year of mercy prayer resource
1.Opening the Door to the Gift of Mercy
GATHERING SPACE
When Pope Francis called the extraordinary
Jubilee Year of Mercy he expressed confidence
that the Church would open its doors to the
full realisation of the power of mercy in our
world, that ‘… the year to come will be steeped
in mercy so that we can go out to every man and
woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness
of God’. (MV, 2015)
>> What does mercy mean to you?
>> Can you recall a time when you
experienced mercy?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus often surprised and shocked his
followers and his society more generally in
choosing to embrace those on the outskirts
– physically, socially or morally. These
encounters were always transformational,
reinforcing the Gospel call to justice and
compassion, as well as a deeper challenge to
honour God in all persons.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And
there was a man named Zacchae’us; he was a chief
tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who
Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd,
because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead
and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for
he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the
place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchae’us,
make haste and come down; for I must stay at your
house today.” So he made haste and came down, and
received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all
murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man
who is a sinner.” And Zacchae’us stood and said to the
Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything,
I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today
salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son
of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to
save the lost.” (Luke 19: 1-10)
FOR REFLECTION AND SHARING
>> What does the image suggest about the general understanding of mercy in the world?
>> Can you recall other occasions from the scriptures where an encounter with Jesus was
transformational?
>> How does the understanding of mercy as bringing the goodness and tenderness of God to
the world inspire your work as a Board?
PRAYER
Compassionate God, we thank you at the commencement of this Board meeting for the many blessings in our
lives. We ask wisdom, compassion, justice and love to join us as directors in this meeting, to inspire and support
us in our deliberations and decisions.
For the grace to honour everyone we meet as bearers of your great love
God of transforming mercy, hear our prayer
For the openness to be transformed by our encounters with Jesus in scripture, in the created world, in people
and in life experiences
For the strength to avoid judgement or alienation of others
For the vision to govern with the needs of all in the ministry at the forefront of decisions
For the humility to attend to the needs of others through hospitality, care and a listening heart
For courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to change
(Pause for any special intentions)
FOR THE END OF THE MEETING
God of compassion
Your merciful eyes
See not what we are
Nor what we have been
But what we long to be – loving and beloved
Forgiven and accepted
Give us a mind and heart
As free as your own
Open
To the possibility of change. (Simmonds)
Clothe yourselves then as fitting for God’s
people, holy and beloved.
Put on compassion, kindness, humility,
meekness and patience.
When you have put on all of these take love
as your belt, so that the dress is perfect.
(Colossians 3)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: Misericordiae Vultus (2015). Luke 19: 1-10. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition.
Simmonds, G: The Closeness of God (2013)
2.The Quality of Mercy
GATHERING SPACE
The quality of mercy is not strained,
It drops as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesses those that give and those who receive.
(Adapted from Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice)
Pope Francis situates a compassionate, patient and loving God at the heart
of the Church of Mercy: “God is patient with us because God loves us”.
(Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy)
>> How can truly believing in the reality of God’s love create a more
merciful world?
>> Can you recall a time in your life when showing mercy
transformed a situation or relationship?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
The parable of the prodigal son and the
merciful father is an archetypal story of the
transforming power of mercy. Often read
as a metaphor for God’s patient and eternal
love for humankind, it establishes that
nothing can separate us from God’s love.
There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said
to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he
divided his property between them. Not long after that,
the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant
country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in
that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went
and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent
him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach
with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave
him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my
father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am
starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and
say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against
you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me
like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his
father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw
him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his
son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven
and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.’
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best
robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals
on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have
a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and
is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to
celebrate.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came
near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called
one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your
brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed
the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his
father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his
father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and
never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a
young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when
this son of yours who has squandered your property with
prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and
everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be
glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is found.’ (Luke 15)
>> How do the actions of the older son mirror the tension between mercy and perceptions of
justice and fairness?
>> Can you recall other Gospel stories in which mercy is given with no judgement?
PRAYER
Patient and loving God
Be with us in this Board meeting. Help us to welcome new ideas and be open to new ways of seeing the world and
its possibilities.
For the wisdom to seek and discern the way of mercy and love
Ever patient God, hear our prayer
For the heart to welcome and forgive
Ever patient God hear our prayer
For the compassion to see and respond to those in need
For the commitment to work tirelessly for the good of all
For openness to your presence in all of our encounters
For courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to change
Ever loving God
May we, like the merciful father of the Gospel
story:
Look for ways to embrace those who are lost,
fearful or alienated
Take opportunities to celebrate and give thanks
for the blessings of life
Be open to mercy, forgiveness and compassion
Act in ways that make your love a tangible
reality in our world. Amen.
In the parables devoted to mercy, Jesus reveals
the nature of God as that of a father who never
gives up until he has forgiven the wrong and
overcome rejection with compassion and
mercy … in them we find the core of the Gospel
of our faith … mercy is a force that overcomes
everything, filling the heart with love … (Pope
Francis)
Image from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: Misericordiae Vultus (2015). Luke 19: 1-10. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition.
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Pope Francis: Misericordiae Vultus (2015). Simmonds, G: The
Closeness of God (2013). Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2015)
3.Revolutionary Mercy
GATHERING SPACE
The stone at the entrance to the tomb on Easter
Sunday morning was a force to be reckoned
with. When the women came to perform their
ritual of mercy they were faced with the cold,
harsh resistance of a blockade … The movement
of the stone would have to come from within
the tomb. The stone had been put there by
broken relationships, obscene violence and
the power of fear … It was the mercy of God
that unblocked the entrance to the tomb … the
miracle of kindness softened the burial place
and the earth trembled with hope. (Burke)
The revolutions of history have changed
political and economic systems but none
have really changed the human heart. True
revolution, the revolution that radically
transforms life was brought about by Jesus
through his resurrection. (Pope Francis)
>> What inner strength is needed to move
the blocking stones in your life?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
Pope Francis states in The Church of Mercy that
“unless Christians are revolutionaries, they
are not Christians.” The foundation story of
the empty tomb is a moment of revolution,
a totally new paradigm, a ‘light’ moment for
the women, for Peter, for the disciples and
for all of us.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went
to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared.
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but
when they went in they did not find the body. While they
were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by
them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and
bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not
here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he
was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered
into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on
the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and
returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven
and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Mag’dalene and Joan’na and Mary the mother of James and the other women
with them who told this to the apostles; but these words
seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe
them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and
looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he
went home wondering at what had happened. (Luke 24)
>> How is the call to be revolutionaries realised in your work on this Board?
>> The women’s task was one of mercy. Can you recall times when small acts of generosity and
care have transformed even the most ordinary situations?
PRAYER
God of surprises
Inspire us in this Board meeting to be revolutionary Christians.
May the empty tomb teach us to embrace the new and unexpected as we work to realise the gospel of mercy in our
world.
For the confidence to find the voice of justice and compassion when we need to speak out
God of revolutionary love, challenge us
For the faith to embrace a resurrection vision of the world transformed by love
For the trust to embark on new pathways and to seek new horizons in our journey of Mercy
For the humility to live in respectful coexistence with others
For the courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to change
Lord
May we be generous in our sharing
Courageous in our leadership
Gentle in our relationships
And merciful in all of our endeavours.
Help us to recognise you in everyone we meet.
Let us not be closed to the newness God wants
to bring to our lives…
Sanctity does not consist especially in doing
extraordinary things, but in allowing God to
act. (Pope Francis)
May the light
of your new life shine forth from us,
so that we may fill the world
with the good news of your resurrection.
(Simmonds)
Burke, A. The Quality of Mercy (2015), p53. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p12. Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Bible: Revised Standard
Version Catholic Edition.
4. Mercy is Inclusive
GATHERING SPACE
Are we a Church that calls and welcomes
sinners with open arms, that gives courage and
hope, or are we a Church closed in on herself?
Whenever we Christians are enclosed in our
groups, our movements, our parishes, in our
little worlds, we remain closed, and the same
thing happens to us that happens to anything
closed … it begins to get dank. (Pope Francis)
The success of the meeting at the well in
Samaria depended on two people who were
willing to unchain themselves from the legacy
of the past and make a new beginning … it was
a triumph of mercy. Mercy takes risks because
it is fuelled from the heart, drawn not driven,
given and received. (Burke)
>> Where does exclusion operate in our
society today?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
There are many times in the scriptures when
Jesus challenges the closed social boundaries
of his day. The story of the woman at the
well is a story of exclusion on many levels:
the woman herself comes out in the middle
of the day to draw water when no-one else
is about. She is an outcast, a woman and a
Samaritan – many reasons for Jesus to avoid
contact. But Jesus does not reject her. He
chooses relationship and through his mercy
she understands who he is and what he is
offering – liberation.
There came a woman of Samar’ia to draw water. Jesus said
to her, “Give me a drink.” For his disciples had gone away
into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to
him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman
of Samar’ia?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who
it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have
asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw
with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living
water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave
us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and
his cattle?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this
water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water
that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall
give him will become in him a spring of water welling up
to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this
water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw water.”
(John 4: 1-15)
>> ‘If you knew who it is that is speaking to you…’ How do Jesus’ words challenge us to
inclusivity?
>> Can you recall other times when Jesus, through word or action, challenged segregation or
alienation on any basis?
>> How can you practice inclusivity at a Board level?
PRAYER
May we be open, God of mercy, to your call for an inclusivity and welcome for all.
May we look upon our world with your eyes, listen to the cry of those who are marginalised with your ears and
respond from hearts filled with your love. May we be merciful to all because you are merciful to us.
For those who feel alienated and alone
Welcoming God, hear our prayer
For refugees and displaced people around the world
For those who leave homes of violence and abuse
For those separated from society through sickness, infirmity or imprisonment
For broken families, fractured relationships and those battling inner turmoil
For courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to others
God of Mercy
Each day you walk with us
Present in every aspect of our human
existence.
Help us to pour out mercy on those we meet
The abandoned and forgotten
Those who struggle
Friends and family
Work colleagues and strangers
May we embrace all with your tenderness and
compassion.
(Simmonds)
Let us ask the Lord: Lord, grant that we
be more and more united, never to be
instruments of division; enable us to commit
ourselves, as the beautiful Franciscan prayer
says, to sowing love where there is hatred;
where there is injury, pardon; and union
where there is discord. (Pope Francis)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Simmonds, G: The Closeness of God (2013). Burke, A. The Quality
of Mercy (2015), p28. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p32.
5. Being Mercy
GATHERING SPACE
In God’s great plan, every detail is important,
even yours … even the hidden witness of those
who live their faith with simplicity in everyday
family relationships, work relationships,
friendships. … Let us all remember this: one
cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the
tangible witness of ones life. (Pope Francis)
Mercy is more than justice; it is a matter of
attentiveness and sensitivity to the concrete
needs we encounter. (Kasper)
>> When is mercy manifest in the ordinary
events of our lives?
>> How does the image capture the heart of
mercy?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus’ actions in washing the feet of his disciples
are widely regarded as a template for Christian
service to others. The objections raised by
Peter however are interesting – he speaks from
a cultural paradigm of class distinction. It is
inconceivable from Peter’s perspective that the
Messiah would wash the feet of fishermen. This
is the heart of Jesus’ message, an overturning
of human notions of superiority in favour of an
approach which honours God in all people.
During supper, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all
things into his hands, and that he had come from God and
was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer
robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured
water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and
to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He
came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going
to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now
what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said
to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered,
“Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter
said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and
my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not
need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And
you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to
betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had
returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what
I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you
are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s
feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do
as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not
greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than
the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are
blessed if you do them”. (John 13: 1-15)
>> Peter asks Jesus ‘Are you going to wash my feet?’ How willing are we to have Christ touch us
through the actions of others?
>> The question of superiority raised in this scripture is an important one – how can charity
reinforce social inequalities?
>> Pope Francis calls on all people not to do mercy but to be mercy – how can you live this call?
PRAYER
Living God
In this board meeting may we be inspired by Jesus’ leadership example to look for ways to ‘serve’ those in our
ministries, our society and our own circle of family and friends.
Give us hearts that respond generously to the needs of others
Living God, hear our prayer
Give us minds that are open to the demands of justice and fairness in our world
Give us hands that are unafraid to reach out and touch with kindness those made poor
Give us feet that are willing to go the extra mile
Give us the courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to Jesus’ call to radical social
transformation
May we ‘be Mercy’, Living God
In our living, striving and responding
May your compassion and humility find such a
home in us,
that our every action reflects your love.
Help us to know you in our service to others.
Open us to the power of the washing of feet –
ours and others around us.
Amen
Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of
these least brothers and sisters of mine, you
did for me. (Jesus, adapted from Matthew 25)
Nothing is too little to be noticed. (Mary
MacKillop, 1873)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p62. Luke 19: 1-10. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition.
Simmonds, G: The Closeness of God (2013), p84. Kasper, W Mercy (2013) p143. Burke, A. The Quality of Mercy (2015), p17.
6. Building Communities of Mercy
GATHERING SPACE
Now there are varieties of
gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of
services, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of
activities, but it is the same
God who activates all of them
in everyone. To each is given
the manifestation of the
Spirit for the common good.
(1 Corinthians 12)
>> The foundation of a community of mercy is unity.
>> How do the image and the metaphors of the single body
and the symphony suggest the nature of this unity?
FROM THE CHURCH OF MERCY BY POPE FRANCIS
In Chapter 9 of The Church of Mercy, Pope
Francis outlines the key elements of a
Christian understanding of the common
good. A Church of Mercy promotes, makes
present and advocates for the common good
in the world. As a consequence, building a
community of mercy must start with these
principles.
Magnanimity: having a great heart, greatness of mind,
great ideals and the wish to do great things; doing the
little everyday things with a heart open to God and to
others.
Freedom: being able to think about what we do, being able
to assess what is good and opting for good even if it means
going against the tide.
The Church is catholic
because she is the home of
harmony where unity and
diversity know how to merge
to become a great source of
wealth. Let us think about the
image of a symphony, which
implies accord, harmony,
various instruments playing
together. (Pope Francis)
Service: working for a more just world. Not remaining
insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world.
Human Dignity: if all people, created by God, are equal and
have God-given dignity, then this dignity demands an active
participation in life and a contribution to the common good.
Solidarity: seeing others not as rivals or statistics, but
brothers and sisters. The measure of the greatness of a
society is found in the way it treats those most in need.
Commitment to Peace: peace is the responsibility of
everyone. Peace requires a persistent, patient, strong,
intelligent dialogue by which nothing is lost.
The fundamentals of life: family, life, education, health
and security. There is neither real promotion of the
common good nor real human development when there is
ignorance of these fundamental pillars.
>> How do the principles outlined by Pope Francis for the common good challenge your work
as a board member?
>> What aspects of Pope Francis’ principles for the common good speak strongly to you?
PRAYER
May we be challenged, Compassionate God, to work at all times for the common good – in our personal,
professional and communal life. Help us to inspire others to join the orchestra of unity and love which sustains
communities of mercy.
For reconciliation and justice for Indigenous Australians
Compassionate God, help us build unity
For a spirit of welcome to those who seek refuge in our country from war and violence
For persistent, patient, strong, intelligent dialogue about peace and freedom in our nation
For greatness of heart, greatness of mind, great ideals and the wish to do great things
For solidarity with all people, especially those who struggle
For courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to working tirelessly for the common good
Compassionate God
Bless us with
Minds open to the possibilities of a more just
society
Hearts nourished by our contemplation of
your call to mercy
and hands ready to act for unity and the
common good.
May we embrace all with your tenderness and
compassion and work tirelessly to build
communities of mercy.
Freedom means being able to think about
what we do, being able to assess what is
good and what is bad, these are the type of
conduct that lead to development, it means
always opting for the good. Let us be free for
goodness. And in this do not be afraid to go
against the tide, even if it is not easy.
(Pope Francis)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Simmonds, G: The Closeness of God (2013). Pope Francis: The
Church of Mercy (2014), pp133-144.
7. Countercultural Mercy
GATHERING SPACE
I far prefer a Church that has had a few
accidents to a Church that has fallen sick from
being closed. Go out! Go out! Jesus stands at the
door and knocks. (Pope Francis)
Modernity has been marked by an excessive
anthropocentrism which today, under another
guise, continues to stand in the way of shared
understanding and of any effort to strengthen
social bonds. The time has come to pay renewed
attention to reality and the limits it imposes;
this in turn is the condition for a more sound
and fruitful development of individuals and
society. (Pope Francis: Laudato Si’)
>> In what ways is the message of mercy
countercultural?
>> Pope Francis is writing about the need
for common action on climate change
and the environment in Laudato Si’. What
other areas of society need a more merciful
approach?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
Elijah lived in a shifting world, threatened by
abusive power and a culture of death. Isolated
in his commitment to truth, he felt like the
last remnant of the faithful, surrounded by
voices of unbelief (Simmonds). In this way he
is an exemplar of those who stand against the
prevailing trends: those who stand for truth;
those who stand with those made poor.
But Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and
came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked
that he might die: “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away
my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he
lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly
an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.”
He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot
stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down
again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched
him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will
be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he
went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights
to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave,
and spent the night there.
Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are
you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very
zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have
forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed
your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are
seeking my life, to take it away.” (1 Kings 19)
>> What sustains you when life’s pressures become too much?
>> Where does ‘mercy’ come into conflict with other priorities in your board experience?
PRAYER
Be with us as we meet as a board today.
Guide our decisions and our visioning for the future.
May we be prepared to challenge restrictive and exclusive mindsets as we build more merciful communities.
Help us build an open Church which stands against the culture of individualism and greed
Help us close doors against violence and injustice
Help us challenge a culture that devalues the human person – the disabled, the elderly, the refugee, the
unborn child
Empower us to stand in solidarity with the environment and all of creation
Remind us constantly that true mercy demands justice for all
Give us courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to recognise the God in all
When we want to shut our eyes
to the culture of economic rationalism, border
protection and corporate greed
Remind us, God of Justice
That mercy does not judge
It does not discriminate
It does not take account of skin colour, political
views or bank balances
It seeks the best for all
Because all of creation is a reflection of You.
Make us ever sensitive to the call of your name
echoing in the quiet places where you wait
for us.
Amen
When the Church attests to God’s mercy it
proclaims the deepest truth about God, that
God is love and is ever forgiving, and the
deepest truth about humans, that God is
always with us. (Pope Francis: Misericordiae
Vultus)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Simmonds, G: The Closeness of God (2013), p72. Pope Francis:
Laudato Si’, p97. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p22.
8. Living Mercy: Mary
GATHERING SPACE
Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again
in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness. In her
we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the
weak, but of the strong, who need not treat others poorly
in order to feel important themselves. (Pope Francis)
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit
rejoices in God my Saviour,
for God has looked with favour on the lowliness of his
servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and
holy is his name.
God’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to
generation.
God has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with
good things,
and sent the rich away empty…” (Luke 1)
>> Pope Francis asserts that a Church of Mercy must
have a ‘Marian style’. What would this Church look
and feel like?
FROM POPE FRANCIS: THE CHURCH OF MERCY
Three words sum up Mary’s attitude: listening,
decision, action. They are words that point
out a way … (the following is a summary of the
‘Marian style’ which Pope Francis urges the
Church and all people to adopt. They are a way
to mercy).
Mary was attentive to God – she listened to both the words
and events of her time.
Mary was humane, practical and a realist. She made
decisions, after careful reflection, and then acted.
and sincere heart. It is as if God takes flesh within us…?
Mary’s faith journey is a model for all Christians, to follow
Jesus in humility, mercy, closeness to others and rejecting
hypocrisy, duplicity and idolatry.
Mary is a constant point of reference for the Church– she
let herself be guided by the Holy Spirit towards service and
fruitfulness.
Mary was countercultural – she praised God for ‘bringing
down the mighty from their thrones’ and ‘sending the rich
away empty’.
Mary was of service to others.
Mary gave human flesh to God’s love.“What took place
most singularly in the Virgin Mary also takes place within
us, spiritually, when we receive the word of God with a good
Mary was revolutionary – she lived love and tenderness.
>> What aspects of the ‘Marian style’ affirm your ideas of mercy?
>> How could these principles be applied to Church ministries and the world more broadly?
PRAYER
God of love and tenderness
Be with us as we meet as a board this evening.
May we be open, like Mary, to your call to attentiveness, justice and hope – in word and action.
We pray that your word will take flesh within each of us so that we may help birth a new world of compassion and
mercy.
For a world in which human freedom is more important than borders and security
Mary of Mercy, hear our prayer
For a Church in which all are welcome and diversity and equity are celebrated
For a society which champions altruism and generosity rather than competition and materialism
For our Board, that we may strive to work in a ‘Marian style’ honouring relationships and the needs of all in
the community
For ourselves that we embrace the call to honour the God in others
Give us courage, in this Year of Mercy, to open the doors of our hearts to the power of a merciful way of living
and being
Mary’s Magnificat proclaims the reversal
of values in a world where the strongest
survive and the poor are trampled upon.
An individual woman exults in the power
of God, shining through her human
weakness. Jesus declares his solidarity with
humanity, each one of us, through him, a
beloved daughter or son in whom God is well
pleased.
Each human encounter can become an
Annunciation, a Visitation.
‘The God in me greets the God in you’, goes the
Easter greeting.
How often do we meet another and honour
God in that person?
If we really believed and acted on this, our
world would be transformed. (Simmonds)
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the
child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed
with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb.” (Luke 1)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Simmonds, G: The Closeness of God (2013), p28. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Pope Francis:
The Church of Mercy (2014), pp145-159.
9a. Living Mercy: Founders
GATHERING SPACE
Mercy is more than charity: it
not only bestows benefits but
receives us anew, and pardons
again and again even the
most ungrateful. (Catherine
McAuley)
The word solidarity is a little
worn and at times poorly
understood, but it refers to
something more than a few
sporadic acts of generosity.
It presumes the creation of a
new mindset which thinks in
terms of community and the
priority of the life of all over
the appropriation of goods by a
few … (Pope Francis)
>> How did Catherine
McAuley go in search of
the lost sheep of her day?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus often uses parables and images of things
lost and found to highlight the nature of
God, who in this story is patience, love and
compassion. The sub-text reminds us that no
one is too unimportant to be found or helped
or engaged in relationship. Lost and found you can’t have one without the other and this
reading asks us to consider – lost from where?
lost by whom? While a rational response would
be to look after the ninety-nine sheep that you
have, Jesus is reminding us that the lost sheep is
also precious in God’s sight. Like Pope Francis
who urges us to ‘go to the outskirts’ to build
inclusive communities, Catherine McAuley also
defied social conventions to seek out those who
were truly marginalised and made poor.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near
to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were
grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and
eats with them.”
So Jesus told them this parable: “Which one of you, having
a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave
the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that
is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on
his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he
calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them,
‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons
who need no repentance.” (Luke 15)
>> The parable of the Lost Sheep challenges all of us to be alert for those who are lost.
>> Who are the lost sheep in our society, ministry, world?
>> How do Mercy ministries find the lost and celebrate their return?
PRAYER
God of mercy and tenderness
Help us to see the lost sheep in our everyday lives.
Give us the courage of Catherine McAuley to reach out in practical ways to those who need our love and
compassion.
May we be ever mindful of the challenges in our Board work which call for inclusivity and a merciful response.
For Mercy ministries around the world which shepherd those who are lost
God of the lost sheep, impel us to action
For struggling families and victims of domestic violence
For those who struggle to find work and direction in life
For the homeless and those for whom home is not welcoming
For our world which cries out for merciful climate policies
and being
The voice of mercy is echoed in the lives of three
Irish women, ordinary in extraordinary ways.
Catherine McAuley, Nano Nagle and Mary
Aikenhead are now recognised as women who
worked tirelessly to set free the oppressed
people of their time. They were women who
had great opportunities, but instead they chose
shepherding. They were drawn into the heart
of mercy, ever radical, always prophetic …
Mercy is the shepherd’s staff. (Anna Burke)
The words of Catherine McAuley reflect the
size of mercy: ‘We can never say it is enough’.
(Luke 1)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p26. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Burke, A The
Quality of Mercy (2015), p43. McAuley, C Familiar Instructions (1927), p2
9b. Living Mercy: Founders
GATHERING SPACE
Love one another as you have
hitherto done. Spend your lives
for the poor. (Nano Nagle)
The word solidarity is a little
worn and at times poorly
understood, but it refers to
something more than a few
sporadic acts of generosity.
It presumes the creation of a
new mindset which thinks in
terms of community and the
priority of the life of all over
the appropriation of goods by a
few … (Pope Francis)
>> How did Nano Nagle go in
search of the lost sheep of
her day?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
inclusive communities, Nano Nagle also
defied social conventions to seek out those who
were truly marginalised and made poor.
eats with them.”
>> How do Presentation ministries find the lost and celebrate their return?
PRAYER
Give us the courage of Nano Nagle to reach out in practical ways to those who need our love and compassion.
For Presentation ministries around the world which shepherd those who are lost
and being
The voice of mercy is echoed in the lives of three
Irish women, ordinary in extraordinary ways.
Catherine McAuley, Nano Nagle and Mary
Aikenhead are now recognised as women who
worked tirelessly to set free the oppressed
people of their time. They were women who
had great opportunities, but instead they chose
shepherding. They were drawn into the heart
of mercy, ever radical, always prophetic …
Mercy is the shepherd’s staff. (Anna Burke)
The persons whom Nano knew herself called
to serve were among the ‘least ones’ of Cork
society. She had to choose to disregard the
social barriers and attitudes of her times
to assert their worth. To be in the situation
of a school mistress was lowly enough; to
educate the very poor, and girls at that, was
regarded by many at that time as a wasteful
and harmful interference with the decrees of
Providence. (Raphael Consedine)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p26. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Burke, A The
Quality of Mercy (2015), p43. Consedine, R One Pace Beyond, 1977. The last recorded words of Nano Nagle, 1784.
9c. Living Mercy: Founders
GATHERING SPACE
Lord, make me an instrument of thy
peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
(attributed to St Francis of Assisi)
The word solidarity is a little worn and
at times poorly understood, but it refers
to something more than a few sporadic
acts of generosity. It presumes the
creation of a new mindset which thinks
in terms of community and the priority
of the life of all over the appropriation
of goods by a few … (Pope Francis)
>> How did St Francis go in search of
the lost sheep of his day?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
inclusive communities, St Francis also defied
social conventions to live in harmony with the
poor and all of creation.
eats with them.”
>> How do Franciscan ministries find the lost and celebrate their return?
PRAYER
Give us the courage and vision of St Francis to live with love and compassion.
For Franciscan ministries around the world which shepherd those who are lost
and being
Let us ask the Lord: Lord, grant that we be more
and more united, never to be instruments
of division; enable us to commit ourselves,
as the beautiful Franciscan prayer says, to
sowing love where there is hatred; where there
is injury pardon; and union where there is
discord. (Pope Francis)
Preach the Gospel at all times and when
necessary use words.
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips,
be careful to have it even more fully in your
heart.
Start by doing what is necessary, then what is
possible, and suddenly you are doing the
impossible. (Francis of Assisi)
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), pp26, 32. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Quotes from
St Francis of Assisi retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com.
10. Mercy Takes Many Forms
GATHERING SPACE
What took place most singularly in the Virgin Mary also
takes place within us, spiritually, when we receive the
word of God with a good and sincere heart and put it into
practice. It is as if God takes flesh within us; he comes to
dwell in us, for he dwells in all who love him and keep his
word. (Pope Francis)
Do you think Jesus’ incarnation is simply a past event
which has nothing to do with us personally? Believing
in Jesus means giving him flesh, with the humility and
courage of Mary, so that he can continue to dwell in our
midst. It means giving him our hands to caress the little
ones and the poor; our feet, to go forth and meet our
brothers and sisters; our arms, to hold up the weak…
our minds, to think and act in the light of the Gospel and
especially to offer our hearts to love … (Pope Francis)
>> In this painting Köder links the birth and death of
Christ into the one event.
>> Both are acts of love, which transformed the world.
>> How do you see these events in your life?
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
The announcement of the birth of Jesus is
according to Luke’s Gospel, the song of angels
delivered not to dignitaries or kings, but to
shepherds sitting in the blackness with their
flocks. This humble audience was terrified,
but the story suggests that the Christ child has
come for all, even the socially marginalised and
isolated.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of
the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said
to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good
news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in
the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This
will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands
of cloth and lying in a manger. ”And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and
saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth
peace among those whom he favours!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which
the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste
and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the
manger. When they saw this, they made known what
had been told them about this child; and all who heard it
were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary
treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Luke 2: 8-20)
>> During the Year of Mercy these prayers have focussed on aspects of mercy and its
importance in the world.
>> What have you brought to birth in your life this year?
PRAYER
God of Love
Inspire us anew by the story of the birth of your son.
May we open our own lives to your indwelling love and recognise this love in the lives of all we meet.
Gift us with resilience and patience in our dealings with others
God of Bethlehem, be born anew in our hearts
Bless us with kindness and care in our day to day lives
Make strong in us the passion for justice in our society
Challenge us to live the mercy we have been given
Instil in us understanding of your will for us
Give us courage, as this Year of Mercy comes to an end, to keep open the doors of our hearts to the call to
mercy and compassion in our lives
A BLESSING
Whenever we look into a crib this Christmas
season
May we remember the call to give flesh to Christ’s
mission of love in the world.
Amid the busyness of family and friends
May the hospitality of our hearts expand.
If we glimpse our reflection in a mirror or pool
May we see an image of our God who is Mercy
When we feel the distance from people around
the world
May the Christ child draw us into unity.
(adapted from Gilroy, O’Sullivan, Gallagher &
Sippel)
“Why a Jubilee of Mercy? What does this mean?”
the Pope asked pilgrims present in St. Peter’s
Square December 9, 2015 for his weekly
general audience.
The answer, he said, is because “the Church
needs this extraordinary moment. I’m not
[just] saying ‘it’s good,’ no! I’m saying: the
Church needs it.” (Pope Francis)
HAS THE YEAR OF MERCY MADE A DIFFERENCE TO YOU?
Illustration from Sieger Köder ‘Art and Inspiration’. Pope Francis: The Church of Mercy (2014), p152. Bible: Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Cath News
Online December 11 2015. Gilroy, O’Sullivan, Gallagher & Sippel, Act Walk Love (2007) p49.

Prayer Resource - Mercy Partners

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