We continue this week with Pope Francis’ next modern beatitude, “Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.” This seemed fitting in these weeks before Advent as we think about Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem. As they traveled did people look them in the eye making them feel welcomed and accepted, or did Joseph and Mary feel out of sorts, abandoned and alone except for each other? Advent is an opportunity to reflect on how we treat those who are on the edges of society as we contemplate the Baby Jesus lying in the manger. Are we merciful and show others “Jesus is here,” as Joscelyn writes, or do we ignore people and walk away? To be merciful to the lost and lonely is to be filled with the peace and love of Christ.
Mercy Essay
by Joscelyn Ortiz
One way I can evangelize it by telling people how God loves us and care for all we do. Another way I can evangelize is by praying to God that others will turn to him. The third way I can evangelize is by showing little cousins and siblings that Jesus is here. The last way I can evangelize is by doing religious things. These are all ways I can evangelize.
The way I can show mercy is show respect for people who don’t believe in God. Another way I can show mercy is if someone takes something without asking I can forgive them. The third way I can show mercy is forgiving people for saying something mean. The last way I can show mercy is by forgiving anything else. These are all ways I can show mercy.
Last month our school collected 6 1/2 bins of food for the needy. Even though the food count was low because of the Thanksgiving holiday and our Veteran’s Day Mass not being on our usual Wednesday, that’s still many people who were helped by your generosity.
The next outdoor Mass for Life is this weekend at 9a near 855 E. Hospitality Lane (near Family Planning Associates), San Bernardino.
And in case you were wondering, the picture of Saint Thomas Aquinas that graces the top corner of this page was drawn by Sophia Porayouw, 4th grade, for our class Saint reports last month. St. Thomas is one of my favorite saints as well as our co-patron, along with Saint Joseph, in 4th grade, so I knew immediately what picture to have here. I thank Sophia for her lovely artwork.
Thank you. Mrs. Alhadef