During dinner in
the monastic refectory on Ash Wednesday, we listened to a reading of Pope
Francis’ Lenten Address. The Holy Father reminds us that love alone is the
answer to our “yearning for infinite happiness." And so we must be
vigilant “to open the doors of our hearts to Christ who knocks on them in the
poor."
Through acts of
mercy and charity we touch “the flesh of the crucified Jesus in the
suffering." In the corporal works of mercy we touch Christ in
those “who need to be fed, clothed, sheltered, visited.” And in “the spiritual
works of mercy - counsel, instruction, forgiveness, admonishment and prayer,”
we care for Christ as well. Both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy are
essential for us as Christians.
As we reach out
to those who are poor and suffering in our midst, we may come to understand
that as sinners we are all poor and desperately in need of the mercy of Christ.
Photo by Brother Brian.
