WORKS OF MERCY - PROVIDE
Everyone longs for a home. A place to belong. A place to be themselves. A safe place to turn to for strength and comfort.
Young adulthood is a season where many young people are breaking away from their childhood homes and trying to build their own. This can be a difficult journey. In their search for identity and belonging, many young people end up losing their way altogether and become restless and lonely.
God wants us to remember that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God made us for relationships. First of all, He made us for relationship with Himself. This is a relationship that no thing on earth can ever replace. Our whole mission on earth is to return our hearts to the God Who made us. Every difficulty or sorrow on earth is actually a reminder that our true home is not here, but rather “our citizenship is in Heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
Before His Passion, Jesus told His disciples: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse at what life in the Kingdom of Heaven is like: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
Our hearts are designed first for relationship with God Himself, but second for relationship with each other. God gifted us the community of the Church to help us navigate life’s challenges and grow in our relationship with Him while we await Heaven. Unfortunately, many people struggle to feel at home in the Church because of varying reasons. Perhaps they had no upbringing in the Church or example from their immediate friends and family. Perhaps they went through the motions of being a Christian, but never really understood what it meant to be a part of the Body of Christ. Or perhaps they even had a bad experience; one that their Church community failed to help them through, or one that may have even happened within the Church community itself.
If you have ever personally felt hurt, unwelcomed, uncomfortable, or unnoticed in your Church community…we acknowledge your experience. We also invite you to come back home. We cannot promise that you will never be disappointed again, because the Church is made up of other imperfect people. But we can promise that the Church is also divine and the place where Christ comes to meet us in our imperfection. It is in the Church that we find the grace we need to help build the Kingdom of God.
What are some tangible ways that we can help build this Kingdom through the works of mercy that are “Shelter the Homeless” and “Comfort the Sorrowful”?
Invite God into your home and family life. Invite your parish priest or deacon to come over and give an official “House Blessing”. Look for little ways to make your home and day-to-day life more holy. In this way, your house becomes more than just a building; it becomes a place of grace for yourself and others.
Practice the art of hosting and hospitality. Share your home with others and offer gestures that help them to feel seen and loved.
Give a meaningful housewarming gift to a new neighbor, a newlywed couple, or someone with a new house.
Send a care package to a college student, missionary, or military member who might be feeling far from home.
Become a good listener and selfless friend. Ask God to help you become the sturdy shoulder that others can lean on when they are going through a sorrowful time.
Reach out to someone who you know is grieving or struggling. Let them know that they are not alone through a visit, phone call, letter, Mass card, meal, gift, etc.
Volunteer with a ministry that serves the sorrowful. Donate flowers or help set up for funeral receptions at your parish. Make care packages or write cards for families in the hospital or for parents who have suffered a miscarriage.
Make a donation or volunteer at your local homeless shelter, foster home, or halfway house.
Learn more about what the Church teaches about loving refugees and immigrants.
Volunteer with an organization such as Habitat for Humanity, to help provide physical shelter for those in need.
Join the greeting ministry at your parish, become an usher, help the parish office organize welcome packets for new parishioners, etc. Perhaps even suggest other creative ways to help others feel welcomed and more at home at your parish.
Invite and pray for others to come home to the Catholic Church. Be patient with them on their journey and be the positive Christian presence they may be missing in their life.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
