In his third encyclical, Pope Francis invites us to recognise that all humanity is intricately linked to each other in one family and asks us to resist the temptation to ‘build a culture of walls…. in the heart and on the land.”   Bev shares her thoughts in this reflection.

For the reflection material click HERE

 

 

An easy to print Marist Laity guide to the reflection can be found HERE

 

  

Begin with Prayer, then read Matthew 7: 21-24   25:31-40

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, … he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

  • Read the Scripture again to yourself. Notice how you feel.

  • Share a word, phrase, or sense that touches you.

  • Listen to the Reflection or Read the Script.

To Listen to the Audio, click HERE.

Simply use the questions below as starters to guide your sharing.

  • What stands out for you from todays reflection?
  • The Pope once said, we must not relate to the ‘adjectives’ about a person, but to their inherent dignity as children of God. How does labelling create ‘outsiders’?
  • How might a conscious shift to see others as God sees them, build solidarity and change the face of our faith communities, our priorities and mission?
  • Pope Francis said, “Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realized each day.” How does that make you feel? What challenges me most, about living the Gospel compassion of God?
  • Read the Marist moment below together. What help do I need from God and Mary to keep growing in goodness daily?

 

Marist Moment:

“Their call is to be truly missionary: they are to go from place to place, announcing the word of God, reconciling, catechizing, visiting the sick and imprisoned and doing works of mercy. They attend  especially to the most neglected, the poor, and those who suffer injustice. “             SM Constitutions 12

 

Pray Together Then Conclude the Meeting with this Prayer

God of Mercy, we pray for the faith to translate Your love and mercy into daily actions.

Help us build bridges of compassion, justice and solidarity.

Empower us to break barriers of division and fear.

Free us to surrender more deeply to Your Holy Spirit.

God of power and might, at Pentecost You inspired the disciples to live the Gospel in diversity, solidarity, mercy and dignity for all. 

You create harmony where we see division. Inspire us to new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity in this CoVid-ravaged world.

May we be faithful instruments of Your mercy so that Your church may be a gift of light and love in our time. Amen. 

Mary, mother of Mercy, Pray for us.