Be Merciful, Just As Your Father Is Merciful. (Lk 6:36)

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE

DIOCESE OF HOUMA-THIBODAUX

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Lk 6:36)

With these words of Jesus, Pope Francis launched an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Here in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux I implore those of us who are blessed with a steady income, good health, enough food and secure housing to share with our neighbors in need everyday, but especially during this Year. Many of us are facing hard times from reduced work hours or job layoffs. As a follower of Jesus Christ we have an obligation not to turn our backs on the most vulnerable people around us - we are all one church and one family.

You don’t have to look far to find people in your family, in your neighborhood, and in your church parish who are in need right now. Reach out to at least one person. In the words of Pope Francis: bring people into contact with the compassionate Mercy that saves…to make Jesus’ words our own and, above all, imitate his heart. Moments of suffering and conflict are for God occasions of mercy. Today is a time of mercy! If the person you encounter needs more help than you can offer, call your parish.

I realize that our diocese does not have the resources to solve all of the financial, emotional or other problems faced by our people in need. But what a sin it is to be blind and deaf and unmoved by grace when those who are wounded come to us. We can’t do everything, but we can do something. And we can do it in faith and compassion and in the joy of the Gospel. We can assist in some manner with material needs, with food and clothing, etc., and we can certainly give a listening ear and an open heart to those whose needs we are aware of, whether they have shared it with us our not. Our faith calls and challenges us to do so.

Many Catholics in our diocese may no longer recall the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. I am personally asking you to read and contemplate them during this Jubilee Year. In the Papal Bull announcing the Year of Mercy Pope Francis says: It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty. And let us enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy. Jesus introduces us to these works of mercy in his preaching so that we can know whether or not we are living as his disciples. 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. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead.

For my part, echoing the words of Pope Francis in his closing to the Synod on the Family, I want to thank you for the path we have shared with our eyes fixed on Jesus and our brothers and sisters, in the search for the paths which the Gospel indicates for our times so that we can proclaim the mystery of family love. Let us follow the path that the Lord desires. Let us ask him to turn to us with his healing and saving gaze, which knows how to radiate light, as it recalls the splendour which illuminates it. Never allowing ourselves to be tarnished by pessimism or sin, let us seek and look upon the glory of God, which shines forth in men and women who are fully alive.

These are difficult economic times. Our brothers and sisters need a listening heart and assistance. Let us make this a wonderful New Year by to the best of our ability helping them now, so that we can rejoice together with them when the local economy improves. In such a manner, we will keep the spirit of Christmas giving alive throughout the year.