Mercy Word of the Week
The Mercy Word of the Week
As we progress through the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, University Ministry offers our community a "Mercy Word of the Week" to help us focus on the themes of mercy that are already so closely aligned to our mission and heritage as an institution sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.
The first Monday of each month will bring a brief reflection on each of the University's Core Values as expressions of our Mercy charism. We hope these focused thoughts will lead to your own considered contemplation on mercy and its role in your life.
Good News: It's hard to listen to the news most days with unelectable politicians spouting off and death and mayhem all around! There is such precious little good news nowadays that it may even seem presumptuous to call the Gospel "Good News." And yet, that IS what we call it. How dare God's word wear that moniker when life can be so unpredictable, so painful, and sometimes even downright mean? What is the good news embedded in those pages anyway?
It's the news that in Christ a whole new life has begun! And through baptism, that new life is made available to those who join themselves to him. In a mysterious, but nonetheless real, way we are already living the "resurrected" life promised to those who cling to Christ. The "fullness" of that life won't be our till after our deaths, but it surely has begun. Sin no can longer hold us prisoner, unless we let it. Death is no longer the final word, because new life is possible for all. So, the events of everyday life— with all their pain, violence, and drudgery—do not define us. What does is the fact that we are God's beloved children destined for eternal life with God. That's good news. And we get signs and reminder of that fact every day. If we have eyes that see.