Ash Wednesday

Mercy can take you by surprise.

The other day I was walking to the metro and thinking about an article I read on the Pope's Jubilee of Mercy.  I passed a woman on the corner of the street asking for money.  I was in a hurry, so I didn't want to take the time to dig into my backpack for loose change.  But she looked so sad, and the Pope’s reflections on mercy were in my head.  I returned, fished out a couple of quarters, gave them to her and went on my way.  A teenage boy, who must have seen this exchange, passed me by on his skateboard.  He stopped a few feet in front of me, got out his wallet, pulled out a dollar, turned around, went back to the woman and gave it to her.

I am embarrassed to confess that my silly ego made me first think, “Wow, my act of ‘mercy’ just got bested by a teenager.”  But then I got over myself and thought God is trying to teach me a lesson here.

Mercy engenders more mercy. 

When we see an act of mercy, it spontaneously warms our hearts.  We do the same act of mercy we witnessed, and often, even more.  If you have any doubt about the inspirational aspect of mercy, watch this commercial that a Thai insurance company produced and which went viral.

Today, as we begin our Lenten journey, the commercial’s final question remains:  What do you desire the most in your life?  This year, let us join the pope and respond, Mercy!  It just may be our most transformational Lent ever!

God bless you and all of our Lay Misison-Helpers serving around the world.


-Chad Ribordy