Desire Mercy

Last updated on: September 21, 2013 at 9:32 am by Kathryn Jean Lopez

Desire Mercy 2013-09-21T09:32:07-05:00 Kathryn Jean Lopez

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I recently subscribed to a daily Ignatian reflection from the Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality, a project of the endlessly impressive Fr. Robert J. Spitzer. Today Fr. Michael Maher — all S.J.s — connects the pope’s recent interview to the Gospel Saturday for the feast day of St. Matthew:

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

What surprises me is that some presume that call to be faithful to this message has only been recently invigorated. The idea that a pontiff would admonish to the Church to be more Christ like is no surprise–popes have been doing it for years. For example one would hardly perceive a “change in course” if you would read Pope John Paul II’s Dives in Misericordia (The Father of all Mercies) or Pope Benedict XVI’s Deus Caritas Est, (God is Love) These works, like so many other papal writings, recall the church’s fundamental mission as continuing the work of Christ. That each pope would articulate this truth in a different way simply reflects the virtue of diversity. Not all ways of speaking appeal to all people. What does appeal is God’s desire for mercy and compassion, a message proclaimed by the Church for centuries.

I think we all have a chill a little, on one hand, as so many try to fit Pope Francis into our ideological categories. Many tell me they find his interview — and interpretations of it — disturbing. Well, isn’t the Gospel message? It’s not that we get to live comfortable lives! It’s way more radical than that. It’s meant martyrdom for many. And it demands dying to self. How many of us have done that yet? Today? It’s ongoing. Are we on that radical path?

The pope, like some Holy Fathers we’ve known lately, is trying to bring the world, and each one of us, to Christ. That’s what you and I are called to do, here and offline. We will do that in different ways and styles. But it is our urgent call. Are we following? Not our favorite priest or blogger, but Christ?

Uncategorized

Fr. Michael Maher

Fr. Robert J. Spitzer

Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality

Matthew

Mercy

Pope Francis

Previous Post

September 20, 2013

You Are Beloved

Next Post

September 21, 2013 He Waits for Us All

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category B16 Christian Persecution Christianity Today Culture Good Links/Must Read HHS Mandate Holy Land Must Reads Prayer Religious Liberty Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

"My Father's _ has many ; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go there to prepare a place for you?"

Select your answer to see how you score.

Table/Dishes Church/Pews House/Rooms Field/Crops

Desire Mercy

"My Father's _____ has many ____; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go there to prepare a place for you?"

"My Father's _ has many ; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go there to prepare a place for you?"