The Little Things
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has invited us to enter into a Jubilee Year of Mercy. It makes sense that this mercy begin at home. The hidden and sacrificial deeds of mercy performed in our homes both mundane and heroic not only serve to improve the lives of our family members but begin to mold and shape our own hearts to better resemble our Savior. As parents we can become models of mercy to our children along with helping them to see opportunities for mercy and to practice them.
So often today, we seem to want to skip over the monotonous and mundane and get to the “glory” without all the work and simple day-to-day sacrifices that are required for true progress on the road to Heaven. Mercy begins with doing the “little things” with love.
As a family, a good place to start, may be with reviewing the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Perhaps have a discussion about each work of mercy and how it can be lived in your family life. Next, make it concrete by making a list, posting it in a prominent place and then re-visiting weekly during Lent and then perhaps monthly or within each Liturgical Season of the Church.
Make your own list or use the one below to get you started.
The links below include practical ideas for living the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Focus Campus Ministry – 50 Corporal Works of Mercy
Practical Suggestions for Living the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
Practical Suggestions for practicing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in everyday life
Living the Corporal Works of Mercy -1
Living the Spiritual Works of Mercy - worksheet