Mercy

What does this gift mean?

Mercy is a charism of compassion that becomes action. The Diocese of Cleveland inventory describes a sensitivity to suffering and a free gift of self that eases physical, spiritual, or emotional pain. Mercy also shows up as forgiveness. It is close to encouragement, but it goes further: it moves toward the wound and tries to relieve it. You cannot carry every hurt. You can refuse to look away from the one in front of you.

What might it look like in everyday life?

• Help a classmate who is struggling get a meal, a ride, or a listening ear.
• Forgive a real hurt and say so, without pretending it did not matter.
• Volunteer where people are lonely, hungry, or overlooked.

How can I use this gift to serve others?

Do one concrete kindness for someone who is hurting, and do not announce it.

How might I explore this gift in VEYM?

These ideas are for the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement. Any parish youth group can use them too.

• Visit or write to someone who is sick, grieving, or homebound, with your group.
• Support a service day at a pantry, shelter, or nursing home.
• Be the person who checks on a member after a conflict and helps repair it.