Year Of Mercy: Aid For The Age Of The Broken Heart

Back in 1998, I was on a pilgrimage in Rome and although I was with a large group, I felt very much alone. I didn’t know many people and kept to myself because I was divorced and didn’t want to scandalize anyone. For some reason, when people found out I was divorced, they never seemed to take an interest in me. One day our group was enjoying a leisurely lunch and much to my awkwardness, a priest sat across from me at the table. He struck up a friendly conversation with me, asking questions about my life. I reluctantly admitted I was divorced and expected the conversation to be dropped at that point. I was taken aback by his kind words in response. He didn’t side-step the issue or automatically assume I was a bad person because I was divorced; he just listened and responded in a very supportive way. That is a gift I’ve carried with me ever since and I will never forget it.

This story is a perfect primer for the start to the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy that will begin on December 8, 2015, just a few short weeks away. Our world is hurting right now with wide-spread terrorism and loss of innocent life, political powers threatening war, unborn children murdered and sold as commodities, families torn apart by divorce… we are living in the age of the broken heart.

Personally, I can’t think of a better time to have this Jubilee of Mercy and I know if we take it seriously, there will be great graces obtained and amazing stories to tell.

But, on a day-to-day basis, what does being merciful look like? With all the misreporting the media has done with news about Pope Francis, the word “mercy” almost seems to have become a bad word in certain circles, as if using it means the user is condoning immoral lifestyles. I think it’s important to remember that mercy means showing compassion or forgiveness to someone who needs it. Mercy does not condone bad behavior, it shows love and offers opportunities to heal.

I’ve asked a few friends to share with me their stories of mercy, and with their permission, I share them with you, now.

In 2011 I found myself in a shelter for abused women waiting to have eye surgery with nothing but the clothes I had on and feeling lost and numb. I just walked the halls with my head down. One day a girl came up to me and introduced herself. I looked up and noticed she was wearing a rosary around her neck. She became a good friend and I realized that I needed God in my life to heal. Since then I don’t look down anymore. I have become a new redefined woman and praise God for all He is doing in my life now. – Debbie

I was in my early 20’s, estranged from my family, and had just gotten out of a very bad relationship with a mentally disturbed alcoholic. I was hiding for my life in a hotel room after fleeing in the middle of the night. I had nothing, no money, no clothes, I didn’t have a car and had just started a job waiting tables the week before. I was completely overwhelmed and broken. My buddy Steve showed up with some money and food and paid for 2 days at the hotel for me. I’ll never forget that. It truly saved me. – Michael

Upon the prompting of my best friend, I reached out to someone whom I had never met – this woman drove from the suburbs of Atlanta – the day after my call – to my home one fall day in 2010. I had just moved from my marital home into a new space. I had no family room furniture and I’m unsure if I had brushed my hair that day, or my teeth for that matter, so we sat on my parents old couch, among 50 unpacked boxes in my dark basement. I told this woman I didn’t know if my right foot followed my left but she promised me Jesus was directing my unsteady steps. The woman promised me if I prayed to the Blessed Mother daily asking her intercession my single parenting of my four year old daughter would be blessed. I cried as I shared my mom and dad had died and I had never felt more alone or afraid…so she prayed over me.  At the end of our visit, the woman hugged me as if she were my own sister and my broken heart felt an unusual peace and strength for the first time in years. On that day, my healing started. I will never forget her kindness and encouragement when I was unable to see beyond the cardboard boxes. – Anonymous

As this Year of Mercy commences, I’m looking forward to sharing more stories of mercy. If you’d like me to share yours so that others may be encouraged in their faith, just email me at lisa@lisaduffy.com.