Mercy is an important element of the landscape along our journey towards a closer relationship with God, especially during Lent. We not only receive the mercy of God, but we are called to share mercy with those around us.
Mercy is generous. Mercy is healing. Mercy is compassion. Mercy is God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus spells out exactly where we can find him and how we must serve each other: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36).
This Lent, what corporal work of mercy could you practice within your Church of the Home? Laura Kelly Fanucci gives some ideas of how we can live out the corporal works of mercy within our homes:
Feed the Hungry
As you make breakfast, plan lunches, cook dinner or pack snacks, do you stop to consider your work as holy? What if you saw each meal you served in your home, to family or friends or anyone at your table, as a chance to break bread with Christ? Showing hospitality to strangers is a chance to entertain angels unawares (Heb 13:2), but those same grace-filled possibilities extend to welcoming toddlers and teenagers to our tables, too.
Give Drink to the Thirsty
My home collects empty water glasses like it’s the latest TikTok trend, but I try to remind myself each time a thirsty child asks for a cup that Christ himself said he’d show up in this way (Mt 10:42). You may find your family thirsting for more than drinks. Can you pour out extra compassion, forgiveness, or patience even when your well is running dry?
Shelter the Homeless
As fewer families raise their kids with a foundation of faith, any chance we have to welcome a houseguest is an opportunity to share what we love. Whether we open our doors to relatives from out of town or teenagers needing a stable place to stay, we can welcome each person as Christ. Whatever we have can be given in love: the best towels, the nicest soap, the softest pillows — or even an old sheet stretched across a basement couch.
Visit the Sick
Whenever I keep vigil with a sick child, I think of a friend who has a calling to care for the sick. She’s not a doctor or a nurse, but a true companion to those who are sick in the hospital or at home with hospice. Watching her rearrange her schedule to make space for the suffering has stretched my heart to care for my sick family with greater mercy and love.
Visit the Prisoners
Unless someone we love is in jail, it’s easy to forget the real humans who are incarcerated. Beyond the headlines and prison bars are beloved children of God who may have committed horrific crimes but still bear the image of their Creator. Can we remember them within the comfort and freedom of our own homes — praying for their needs, supporting prison ministry, or becoming a pen pal to a prisoner?
Bury the Dead
Visit a local cemetery to pray for the dead. Remember a relative by sending a card to their family on the anniversary of their death. Include in your prayers all who will die alone this day. Burying the dead may not be a regular occurrence in your home (thank God), but caring for those who have died and supporting those who mourn can become a daily practice.
Give Alms to the Poor
Lent is the perfect time to stretch and strengthen our connections to those in need. Almsgiving can become a family affair: learning more about local or global issues, choosing organizations to support, and fasting from extra spending to give more.
His Mercy Is More by Matt Boswell & Matt Papa
Thank you to all who donated to the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of Neopit! Over 3000 eggs and candies were brought in!
Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
We will be filling the eggs this weekend between the 8:30 and 9:30 mass. If you are interested in helping us, please meet in the Welcoming Center. Children are invited to help as well!
Join us for Mass this weekend in person at 4:oo on Saturday, 8:30 or 10:30 on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.
READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES
VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION
The Power Of Mercy
Let God do something new in your life.
Join Fr. Tim as he reflects on this Sunday's Scripture readings.
God's justice is mercy, all we have to do is ask with a sincere heart.
The hard part is the steps to conversion.
Project Nazareth
Families
This Weekend's Bulletin
(click to read)
Recent Loss to Our Parish Family
Ecumenical Partnership for Housing
A crew from Resurrection has been working hard to prepare the EPH duplex for the next family. Thank you to their hard work to help shelter the homeless.
Announcements
Humor
What size was the lumber that Noah used
to build the ark?
2×2
Ruby and Res
All generations love to be with Ruby at G.O.D.
Maybe you'll see her this Wednesday
with St. Francis of Assisi to celebrate Care for Creation.
