Our Holy Father Tarasius, Archbishop of Constantinople.
Jude 1-10; Luke 22:39-42; 22:45-23:1.
Read Jude 1-10
“May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”
This week, as we continue reflecting on Sunday’s Gospel and the corporal works of mercy, St. Jude’s opening prayer reminds us that mercy, peace, and love are not just sentiments to be wished for but virtues to be practiced.
I once prayed for patience, and rather than instantly receiving it, God gave me opportunities to practice patience. In the same way, when we pray for mercy, peace, and love, we must also be ready to live them out. We do not simply ask God to multiply these virtues in us; we allow Him to do so by responding to His grace in our daily lives.
Rather than setting an impossible goal for us, let’s reflect on one simple way we can practice mercy, peace, and love each day. This Great and Holy Lent don’t just give something up—look for ways you can live these virtues in your relationships, your family, and your parish.
One way to practice mercy is through the corporal works of mercy, which call us to serve Christ in those most in need:
- Feed the hungry.
- Give drink to the thirsty.
- Clothe the naked.
- Shelter the homeless.
- Visit the sick.
- Visit the imprisoned.
- Bury the dead.
Each of these is a tangible way to put mercy into action. Perhaps this week, you can donate to a food bank, visit someone who is lonely, or offer a helping hand to a struggling family. Small acts of mercy done with great love can change hearts—including our own.
As we journey through Lent, may we not only pray for mercy, peace, and love but also embody them, so that they may truly be multiplied in us and through us.