Hola, everyone! Thanks for being patient; this post was supposed to go up last week Sunday but I’ve been super busy with a lot of things. Thank you for all the likes, shares, kind words and comments on my last post :D. Like wow! I was a bit apprehensive about blogging about being pregnant but your responses made it worthwhile. I tried to respond to everyone but couldn’t and I figured I’d just go ahead and give you guys more posts. Know that I read and treasured each comment, and your prayers are a huge help.

First of all, how did December go? In the midst of all the feasting and turning up, how did you help to feed the hungry? I hope the ideas I posted were helpful.

Pope Francis officially kicked off the Jubilee Year of Mercy, ushering in a year of dutiful and deliberate kindness. The custom of a Jubilee Year is derived from the Old Testament: Leviticus 25: 8-13. In summary, the Jubilee Year was celebrated as a year when slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven, and the mercies of God would be particularly manifest.

For the universal church, Pope Francis invites us to be witnesses to the power of  love, kindness and generosity. Witnessing to God’s mercy towards us, and then also being merciful to others. This year is for getting steeped in, soaked in, drunk on mercy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ycBOH9qXM

The Choir Chanted This Hymn As Pope Francis opened the Door of Mercy in St. Peter’s Square. I love it. Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo means I will sing of God’s mercy forever.

This January, I want to focus on “Forgiving All Wrongs”. Not some. Not “the ones that they have asked forgiveness for”. Not the small ones. All wrongs. All. Wrongs.

It’s not an easy task. Not when people have insulted you. Have stolen from you. Have cheated you. Have deceived you. Have hurt you in the lowest ways possible. Have laughed at you. Have scorned you. Have poured contempt on you. Have rejected you. Have hated you. Have embarrassed you. Have been ashamed of you. Have betrayed you. Not when they’ve hurt people you love. Not when people have proved and shown beyond all doubt that you mean nothing to them, that your feelings mean nothing to them. That they want nothing to do with you. That they would hurt you again if you gave them the chance.

And yet, we are called to mercy. Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.

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The good news is that we don’t have to do it by ourselves, right? That’s why we have the grace of God. That’s why we have the Holy Spirit. Remember the apostles after Jesus’ ascension. Remember them timidly hiding out in the upper room. Remember their energy after the Holy Spirit descended on them. Hide out for what?!

If this post reads like I’m giving myself a pep-talk, it’s because I am actually giving myself a pep-talk. Lol. Even right now, there are members of my family I once loved deeply who I no longer wish to speak to. In December, a lot of people tweeted about how their new year resolutions would be to cut off people who had wronged them, and hurt them. While I applaud the need to build healthy relationships and protect one’s emotional and mental health, I also worry about becoming cold and inured. I want to be in a place where I can say, “Yes, you hurt me. But I forgive you and I ask your forgiveness for when I was hurtful too. And I pray for you and your happiness.” I don’t want to nurse grudges in my soul.

These are the suggestions for living “Forgiving All Wrongs” this January.

1. Pray for those who have wronged you and pray for the courage to forgive.
2. Ask forgiveness from others. (This one is very key. Pick up the phone. Visit that person. Do it. Yes, they’ll gloat. Yes, they’ll laugh at you and spit in your face. Still…Do It.)
3. Let go of grudges.
4. Go out of your way to be positive with someone you are having a difficult time with.
5. Help reconcile people you know who in conflict mode.

I hope this helps. Let me know in the comments’ section what you think and what your suggestions are for living this work of mercy even more fully. May God help us to be his Ambassadors of Mercy.