In unpacking slowly this pilgrimage, the fruits received from this journey have been helping me in being transformed into a Eucharistic Ambassador of his Mercy in three ways; by being washed, by being restored and then transformed.
My washing happened through many experiences, but what sticks are the moments I prayed at the tomb of Bl. Jerzy Popielusko, or saw the robe of St John Paul II, or the clothes I gave away week after week, or the communal times of prayer, or the individual times of prayer. St Jerome tells us that ‘the ideal of mercy or compassion is a frequent theme in all the Gospels. This beatitude is illustrated by the meriless servant (Mat 18:23-35). The two works of mercy most emphasized in Mt are almsgiving and forgiveness. To be given a year of Mercy got us to reflect on what Pope Francis teaches us that ‘The scriptural text of Leviticus 5 can help us to understand the meaning of a “jubilee” for the people of Israel. Every fifty years they heard the sounding of a trumpet (jobel) calling them (jobil) to celebrate a holy year as a time of reconciliation (jobal) for everyone. During that time they had to renew their good relations with God, with their neighbours and with creation, all in a spirit of gratuitousness.’
For me throughout this year of mercy, I constantly felt like the testimonies of His Mercy in our life were so profound that in my case my actions of Mercy were superficial. I kept saying ‘Jesus, I don’t know if I am merciful.’ Although it took time for me to unpack this year’s pilgrimage, and although I am still unfolding it, I did not realize at the time that I was telling Jesus, I want more than a shower. Take me deeper, not seeing that He was doing it in tangible ways. In being washed, I was also being restored, but God who does not work in surface took me deeper in immersing me completely in this pilgrimage by renewing my relationship with Him, with others and with creation. More than ever, ours is an intentional relationship where Pope Francis says ‘As you can see, mercy does not just imply being a “good person” nor is it mere sentimentality. It is the measure of our authenticity as disciples of Jesus, and of our credibility as Christians in today’s world.’
The words of Pope Francis at Campus Misericordia played as a radio as I found myself especially in Prague being drawn to people like Jesus to Zaccheus. He did not let me just pass by the city, but allowed to welcome those who would question my stay there, and this often led to theological conversations, because 90% of people in Prague are Atheists. When it comes to my relationship with Creation, our relationship was taken to the next step. From wonder and awe to a growing compassion. Kalovy Vary and my time praying through the zoo of Prague caused an invitation I did not understand fully at the time. These days, I am learning what it means to be merciful to creation by reevaluating and reassessing the harms I cause to God’s creation. I am learning how some of our habits are damaging. And as one of the young adults who answered Pope Francis’ call to care for creation, I am also learning to see the environment through the eyes of the Holy Trinity. In my relationship with God, I was immersed. You see it is risky to be immersed in something without a life jacket. You might think of drowning, but there is nothing to fear since his Mercy doesn’t just pass over you. It permeates your whole being. I knew the girl who went was not the same who came back, because to be immersed undeniably caused transformation leading to an ongoing personal conversion. I could have been ashamed to tell Jesus ‘well, I just don’t think I know what it means to be merciful right now.’Conclusion…
You might be in those shoes too right now where you feel that the Year of Mercy is about to end, and you have either not experienced God’s Mercy or have received the grace to forgive yourself, others or to be forgiven. Just remember like Pope Francis said that Zaccheus also experienced the paralysis of Shame, however he brought it all to the Lord; his struggles, his weaknesses and his sins. When people’s voice are louder than that of the Lord like the crowd’s grumbling was blocking the way for Zaccheus, let us remember this:
“People will try to block you, to make you think that God is distant, rigid and insensitive, good to the good, and bad to the bad. Instead, our heavenly Father “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good” Mt 5:45 He demands of us real courage; the courage to be more powerful than evil, by loving everyone even our enemies. People may laugh at you because you believe in the gentle and unassuming power of mercy. But do not be afraid. Think of the motto of these days: ‘Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy’ (Mt 5:7)” (Pope Francis Homily, WYD Final Mass Krakow)
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