Advent invites us to a time of new beginning—to make a fresh start and become in right relationship with God and our neighbor. Christmas is a celebration of the mercy of God made incarnate through the birth of Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that he sent Jesus among us to take on our human weakness and suffering and bring us healing and wholeness. Jesus saves us through God’s mercy and calls us to free others through God’s grace working in and through us. As you contemplate the Christmas gifts you will give this year, consider those who are in need of a gift that does not cost money or require wrapping paper. They may need your mercy or forgiveness, the gift of not being judged, or the gift of not holding a grudge. It can be very difficult to offer forgiveness, especially when we have been deeply hurt, but that is what Francis is calling us to do during this extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.
There are many families and individuals that will not have a happy Christmas this year due to lack of forgiveness from an offended spouse, family member, or friend. Is there someone who will be missing from your Christmas table because of a lack of forgiveness? Do you hear the call from Pope Francis to be a witness of mercy this Advent? After the horrific attacks on the innocent on the streets of Paris the pope shared in his daily homily that even in the wake of this evil we can’t seal the door of mercy. In his letter, “The Face of Mercy,” Francis writes, “By crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us.”
Sr. Terry Rickard is the Executive Director of RENEW International and a Dominican Sister from Blauvelt, NY.