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The Year of Mercy 8 th December 2015 to 20 th November 2016

This special year announced by Pope Francis invites us to think about the mercy of God as shown to us by Jesus his Son. It begins on 8 th December 2015 (feast of the Immaculate Conception) and ends on 20 th November 2016 (Feast of Christ the King) We are all invited to reflect on what we can do to show love and mercy to others in our daily life. The Year of Mercy

Jesus speaks to us through… PARABLES The Year of Mercy Jesus told many parables - stories with a message for us to think about… a good number of them speak about God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness Most of them are in the Gospel of Luke

PARABLES OF MERCY The Good Shepherd Lk 15: 1-10 The Great Feast Lk 14: The Good Samaritan Lk 10: The Rich Man and Lazarus Lk 16: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Lk 18: 9-14 The Prodigal Son Lk 15: The Money Lender Lk 7: The Year of Mercy The Workers in the vineyard Mt 20: 1-16

A landowner hired workers for his vineyard. Other workers started work later during the day. The Year of Mercy He paid all of them the agreed wage. Those who started early grumbled and protested. ‘Why be envious because I am generous?’

While at dinner at a Pharisee’s house, a woman who was a known sinner came in and started to clean Jesus’ feet, dry them, kiss them and put ointment on them. Some Pharisees were grumbling. So Jesus told this story… The Woman who was a sinner Lk 7: The Year of Mercy Two men owed money to a lender. One owed 500 denarii; the other 50 denarii. They were both unable to pay. The Lender let both of them off. Which of the two will love the lender more? This woman is like that man who owed more. She shows a lot of love because a lot has been forgiven to her.

A man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked and left half dead. A priest saw him and just walked the other way. A Levite saw him too and did the same. A Samaritan man saw him and was moved by compassion. The Good Samaritan Lk 10: The Year of Mercy He took him to a place where he could be looked after until he recovered. He also paid all expenses. ‘Which of the three showed real mercy and love of neighbour?’

A man invited a large number of people for a feast. When everything was ready and servants started calling the guests to come in, they made so many excuses. The Great Feast Lk 14: The Year of Mercy The master was not happy. He ordered the servants to go out and invite others who were poor or disabled and other people until the party hall was full.

Some people started complaining that Jesus welcomes sinners. Jesus told them this parable… If a shepherd owns 100 sheet and one goes missing, he will leave the 99 to go and look for that missing one. When he finds the lost sheep he will be so happy and celebrates with friends. The Good Shepherd Lk 15: 1-10 The Year of Mercy Jesus said: ‘In the same way, when a sinner turns back to God there will be rejoicing in heaven too.’

A man had two sons. The younger one left to be free and be able to do whatever he wanted. But when he spent all his money he was alone, sad and felt miserable. He came to his senses and decided to go back home to his father. The Prodigal Son Lk 15: The Year of Mercy His father welcomed him and celebrated with a big feast. He said: ‘My son was lost and is now found!’

There was a rich man who always had big meals with friends. A poor man, Lazarus, wished he could eat what fell from the tables. When both died, Lazarus went to heaven but not the rich man! The Rich Man and Lazarus Lk 16: The Year of Mercy The rich man asked that Lazarus is sent to comfort him. But this was not possible as there was a great distance separating them.

A Pharisee and a Tax collector were in the Temple, praying. The Pharisee liked showing off. He boasted that he was so good in everything he did - not like other people! The Tax collector stood at the back and prayed: ‘Be merciful to me O God; I am a sinner.’ The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Lk 18: 9-14 The Year of Mercy Jesus said: ‘God is always ready to forgive a humble person who is sorry for their sins.’

How can we be merciful like God the Father? The Year of Mercy logo: MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER The Year of Mercy What do Jesus’ parables tell us about the Mercy of God?

Corporal Works of Mercy Acts of kindness to help others in material needs How can I show these acts of mercy in my daily life? The Year of Mercy FEED THE HUNGRY SHELTER THE HOMELESS GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY CLOTHE THE NAKED VISIT THE SICK VISIT THE IMPRISONED BURY THE DEAD

Spiritual Works of Mercy Acts of kindness to help others in Spiritual needs How can I show these acts of mercy in my daily life? The Year of Mercy ADMONISH THE SINNER COMFORT THE SORROWFUL INSTRUCT THE IGNORANT COUNSEL THE DOUBTFUL PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND DEAD BEAR WRONGS PATIENTLY FORGIVE ALL INJURIES

Listen to me, O Lord, answer me; For I am poor and needy. Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to you all day long. For you Lord, are kind, and ready to forgive, Rich in mercy to all those who call upon you. Resp. Turn to me Lord and have mercy on me. Listen to my prayer O Lord; Listen to the voice of my pleading. In the day of my trouble I call upon You, For you will answer me. Teach me your way, O Lord; that I may walk in your truth; For great is your mercy towards me, You have rescued me from the depths of Sheol. Resp. Turn to me Lord and have mercy on me. The Year of Mercy Psalm 86 A Psalm of Mercy

O God, arrogant people have risen against me, And a mob of violent men are after my life. But you, O Lord, are a God full of mercy and compassion; slow to anger and rich in mercy and truth. Resp. Turn to me Lord and have mercy on me. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Show me the sign of your kindness, To their shame those who hate me will see, that you Lord, have helped me and comforted me. Resp. Turn to me Lord and have mercy on me. The Year of Mercy

THE JUBILEE DOOR A special symbol of the Jubilee Year of Mercy is the JUBILEE DOOR. This special door is opened in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome for the entire length of the Jubilee Year. Other Cathedrals often have their Jubilee door too. Jesus said, “I am the door,” (John 10: 7). He wanted to show us that we cannot go to the Father except through him. By walking through this Jubilee door in this Year of Mercy we show that we want to enter into a closer union with Christ and leave the ways of sin behind us. The Year of Mercy

What can I do for this Jubilee YEAR OF MERCY? The Year of Mercy CELEBRATE RECONCILIATION MORE OFTEN ENGAGE IN DIFFERENT ACTS OF MERCY VISIT A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE

Pope Francis’ prayer for The Year of Mercy Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal - and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!” You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. 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. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. The Year of Mercy

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