The Year of Mercy

Pope Francis has launched his yearlong push for a global Catholic church of mercy and forgiveness, starting the Jubilee year focused on the subject by opening the holy door at St. Peter’s Basilica and calling for a church that always puts mercy before judgment. In a solemn Mass attended by tens of thousands, the pontiff also praised the work of the Second Vatican Council and said the newly-opened Jubilee "compels us not to neglect the spirit which emerged" from that event.

"This Extraordinary Holy Year is itself a gift of grace," Francis said during the homily at the Mass. "To enter through the Holy Door means to rediscover the deepness of the mercy of the Father who welcomes all and goes out to meet everyone personally."

"How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we affirm that sins are punished by his judgment before putting first that they are forgiven by his mercy!" the pope exhorted. “It is truly so," he said. "We have to put mercy before judgment, and in every case God’s judgment will always be in the light of his mercy. Let us abandon all fear and dread, for these do not befit men and women who are loved," said Francis. "Instead, let us live the joy of encounter with the grace that transforms all."

A Jubilee year is a special year called by the Catholic church to receive blessing and pardon from God and remission of sins. While most Jubilees have been focused on calling pilgrims to Rome to receive such a pardon, Pope Francis has widely expanded this Jubilee, asking that dioceses throughout the world open their own holy door at a cathedral or other church to expand the practice globally.

Bishop Lennon opened the year of mercy last Saturday with the blessing and opening of the cathedral doors of St. John. A holy door is a door normally designated in special churches -- like the four papal basilicas in Rome -- to be opened only during Jubilee years as a sign of the possibility of re-entering into God’s grace. Francis opened the holy door in St. Peter's Basilica towards the end of the Mass Tuesday. Standing in front of the door, located at the northeast corner of the Vatican basilica, the pontiff asked God to grant "a year of grace, a favorable time to love you and our brothers and sisters in the joy of the Gospel."

Calling Jesus "the shining face of your infinite mercy, safe refuge for us sinners, needing of forgiveness and peace" and saying that Christ is the door "through which we come to [God]," the pope pushed the door open slowly with both hands while walking through.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI, was the second person to follow Francis through the door, and the two pontiffs embraced and spoke briefly, both before and after the opening of the threshold.

Both Francis’ homily at the Mass and the ceremony itself also paid tribute to the Second Vatican Council, which officially closed its work on Dec. 8, 1965 exactly 50 years ago from that date.

The Eucharistic celebrationTuesday was opened with readings of excerpts from the Council’s four constitutions and its documents on ecumenism and religious liberty. In his homily, Francis said the Council documents "verify the great advance in faith" made at the event. 

-Father Doug Koesel

Advent Reflection: Who's My Neighbor?

A few weeks ago, the Plain Dealer printed the following letter from Christopher Farrand of Willowick, titled “A modern twist on an old parable”:


A biblical adaptation on Syrian refugees: Jesus was asked, ''Who is my neighbor?'' And Jesus, answering, said: 'A certain Syrian went down to Jericho and fell among terrorists, who destroyed his home, killed his family, wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain presidential candidate that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side, for it would hurt his poll numbers to be seen with a Muslim.

And likewise a governor, when he was at that place, came and looked at him, and passed by and said he would not help a Muslim, even if he were a 3-year-old orphan.

'But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. ''Which, now, of these three was neighbor unto him that fell among the terrorists?''

The writer could have added that two Senators, the sons of refugees from an oppressive government, also passed that way. But they, having been fully indoctrinated into America’s fear of strangers, averted their gaze and passed on. For if they were to help someone in need, they would have been accused of enabling a freeloader. And a former governor also passed by because the stranger by the road did not share his religion.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, it’s worth remembering that Mary, Joseph and Jesus were strangers on the road. Turned away at several inns, they finally found shelter, however meager, through the kindness of someone letting them use the stable.

We have to remember that hospitality was the order of the day in ancient Israel. When a stranger came into the camp, he or she was fed, even if that meant there was less for you or your family. Israel was called to remember that they once were strangers in a strange land and refugees on the road.

As we see the flood of refugees fleeing Syria, we can react with fear or compassion. We can be selfish or generous. But when the angel came to Mary and announced that she was to give birth to the Savior, he told her not to be afraid, for she had found favor with God. And Jesus tells us several times not to be afraid.

Pope Francis has declared a Holy Year of Mercy. And the Jubilee Prayer reminds us that God manifests power above all by forgiveness and mercy and says:

“Let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error. Let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.”

Many of us in this country are descendants of immigrants who came seeking freedom and a better life – and the ability to worship as they wanted. Many of them also suffered from prejudice – the same prejudice we now see being directed at Muslims.

As followers of the merciful Lord, let us be inspired by the Holy Year of Mercy to give comfort to those fleeing oppression – and fight the evil of prejudice wherever we encounter it.

Who is my neighbor? The next person I see.

by Deacon Dick Beercheck