Seventh Day / Sunday, July 31st

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

(Luke 18.9-14)

Jesus then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’  I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Pope Francis’s Commentary
   The parable teaches us that a person is just or sinful not because of their social class, but because of their way of relating to God and how they relates to their brothers and sisters….
   If the Pharisee asked for nothing because he already had everything, the tax collector can only beg for the mercy of God.  …[A]cknowledging himself to be a sinner, the tax collector shows us all the condition that is necessary in order to receive the Lord’s forgiveness. In the end, he is the one, so despised, who becomes an icon of the true believer.
(General Audience, June 1, 2016)

Examination of Conscience

In the end, the only people who need mercy are those who, like the tax collector, are imperfect and sinful.

Can you think of instances in which you withhold mercy from others because at some level you feel better than them—more faithful, less sinful, more deserving or righteous?

Today’s Prayer

Divine God of Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her children, even when we least deserve it.  Help us to be merciful to others inspite of our righteousness.e;Help

Sixth Day / Saturday, July 30th

Parable of the Persistent Widow

(Luke 18.1-8)

Then Jesus told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Pope Francis’s Commentary

   We all go through times of tiredness and discouragement, especially when our prayers seem ineffective. But Jesus assures us: unlike the dishonest judge, God promptly answers his children, even though this doesn’t mean he will necessarily do it when and how we would like. Prayer does not work like a magic wand! It helps us keep faith in God, and to entrust ourselves to him even when we do not understand his will. In this, Jesus himself — who prayed constantly! — is our model…. 

   The parable ends with a question: “when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (v. 8). And with this question we are all warned: we must not cease to pray, even if left unanswered. It is prayer that conserves the faith, without it faith falters! Let us ask the Lord for a faith that is incessant prayer, persevering, like that of the widow in the parable, a faith that nourishes our desire for his coming. And in prayer let us experience that compassion of God, who like a Father comes to encounter his children, full of merciful love.

(General Audience. May 25, 2016)

Examination of Conscience

People who require mercy are often desperate and therefore quite demanding, like the persistent widow.

Can you think of instances in which you withhold mercy because a person is too demanding?

Today’s Prayer

Divine God of Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her children, even when we least deserve it.  Help us be merciful to others even when they are persistent and demanding.

Fifth Day / Friday, July 29th

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

[Luke 10.25-37]

…[A] Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Pope Francis’s Commentary

   The Samaritan behaved with true mercy: he dressed that man’s wounds, he took him to the inn, took personal care of him and provided for his assistance. All this teaches us that compassion…is not a vague feeling, but it means to take care of the other, even to paying in person. It means to commit oneself, taking all the necessary steps to “come close” to the other, to the point of identifying oneself with him—“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

   Compassion is an essential characteristic of God’s mercy….  Each one of us should ask the question…,“Do I believe that the Lord has compassion for me, just as I am, a sinner, with so many problems and so many things?” …[T]he answer is: “Yes!” But each one must look into their heart to see if they have faith in this compassion of God

(General Audience. April 27, 2016)

Examination of Conscience

What we perceive to be the law or custom, what is socially acceptable or required, often stands in the way of mercy, as it did for the priest and the Levite in this parable.

Can you think of instances in which you withhold mercy because of the law or what other people would say?

Today’s Prayer

Divine God of Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her children, even when we least deserve it.  Help us to be merciful to others even when it violates social convention.

Fourth Day / Thursday, July 28th

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

(Luke 16.19-31)

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and from the netherworld he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side.  And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

 Pope Francis’s Commentary

   How often do many people pretend not to see the poor! To them the poor do not exist….  As long as Lazarus was outside his house, the rich man had the opportunity for salvation, to thrust open the door, to help Lazarus, but now that they are both dead, the situation has become irreparable.

   God is never called upon directly, but the parable clearly warns:…If I do not thrust open the door of my heart to the poor, that door remains closed even to God.

(General Audience. May 18, 2016)

Examination of Conscience

A big problem with mercy is that, like the rich man in the parable, we resent giving up what we believe rightfully belongs to us.

Can you think of instances in which you withhold mercy because it would require giving up something you have earned to someone who has not earned it and doesn’t deserve it?

Today’s Prayer

Divine God of Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her children, even when we least deserve it.  Help us be merciful to others even when it means giving up something we have earned to someone who has not earned it.

Third Day / Wednesday, July 27th

Parable of the Forgiving Father

(Luke 15.11-32)

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of his son, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.  His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 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.’”

Pope Francis’s Commentary

   This teaching of Jesus is very important: our condition as children of God is the fruit of the love of the Father’s heart; it does not depend on our merits or on our actions, and thus no one can take it away, not even the devil! No one can take this dignity away.

   …In any situation of life, I must not forget that I will never cease to be a child of God, to be a child of the Father who loves me and awaits my return. Even in the worst situation of life, God waits for me, God wants to embrace me, God expects me.
(General Audience. May 11, 2016)

Examination of Conscience

Another problem with mercy is that, like the older son in this parable, we don’t think it’s fair.

Can you think of instances in which you withhold mercy because it doesn’t seem fair?

Today’s Prayer

Divine God of Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her children, even when we least deserve it.  Help us to be merciful to others even when it doesn’t seem fair.