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The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

A reflection

Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions, and his entire person reveals the mystery of God.

We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace.

Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instils in us the courage to look to the future with hope.

“Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.” Matthew 5:7

Jesus asks us also to forgive and to give. To be instruments of mercy because it was we who first received mercy from God.

“The Lord gives justice to the oppressed,

gives food to the hungry;

The Lord sets prisoners free.

The Lord gives sight to the blind,

lifts up those who are bowed down.”Psalm 146

Day after day, touched by God’s compassion, we also can become compassionate to others.

Let us enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy.

Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry,

Give drink to the thirsty,

Clothe the naked,

Welcome the stranger,

Heal the sick,

Visit the imprisoned,

And bury the dead.

From the heart of the Trinity, from the depths of the mystery of God, the great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceasingly. It is a spring that will never run dry.

Pope Francis, Bull of Indiction 2015

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,

and have told us that whoever sees you sees him.

Send your Spirit and consecrate

every one of us with its anointing,

so that the Jubilee of Mercy

may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm,

may bring good news to the poor,

proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind. Amen.

Words: Misericordiae Vultus Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

Photos: Asad Zaidi/CAFOD, Annie Bungeroth/CAFOD, Louise Norton/CAFOD, Shea Bradley/CAFOD, David Mutua/CAFOD, Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk, Sophie Stanes, Mayerling Garcia/CAFOD, Miguel Samper/Caritas Internationalis, Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk/CAFOD, Simon Rawles/CAFOD, Beck Photographic/CAFOD, Nick Harrop/CAFOD, istock

Prayer: Extract from Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee