Advent I - Merciful Like the Father

In his apostolic letter announcing this Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said this; "It is indeed my wish that the Jubilee be a living experience of the closeness of the Father, whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the faith of every believer may be strengthened and thus testimony to it be ever more effective."

The official logo for the Year of Mercy contains the title; Merciful Like the Father. The Holy Father's wish is that during this year of grace, we will:

• ... have a living experience
• ... of the closeness of the Father
• ... who's tenderness is almost tangible

Have you ever met or spoken with someone who had just been forgiven, unconditionally, for something serious they had done? Have you, personally, experienced such forgiveness? These know what mercy really is - what it does to you in the depths of of your soul. You become a different person. Mercy purges one of the corruption of pride, freeing them to go out of themselves and live as God intended for them when he created them. The lepers who encountered Jesus' healing mercy are a compelling image of the transformation mercy brings. Luke 5:12

Perhaps, the most revealing example of mercy is found in Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11. The whole of chapter 15: focuses our attention on Jesus' mission of mercy. We need to return often to this text to enter ever more deeply into its lessons on Mercy.

Here are a few points to get us started.

Parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32 + There are two sons, loved by their father - both belong in the "Father's House." + Both are infected by pride, but in different ways.

Younger Son	Older Son
I want it all	I deserve it all
Inheritance wasted	Inheritance coveted
Blinded by pleasure	Blinded by resentment
Self-destruction	Self-pity
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.”	“Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders;”
But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’	“My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

THE FACE OF MERCY