mercy on the poorest of the poor
"It is no part of your heavenly Father's plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief." —Matthew 18:14
Over four billion people in the world don't know Jesus. Most of these people have never had an opportunity to hear of Jesus' crucified love and glorious resurrection. They are the poorest people in the world. They have little chance for Christmas because they don't know Christ or Mass. Most of the people of the world do not have a new nature in Christ. They are not as yet sons and daughters of God. They have never received the body and blood of Jesus even once in Holy Communion. They are very poor.
Jesus' heart is full of mercy (Mt 9:36) for all these people. "He wants all men to be saved and come to know the truth" (1 Tm 2:4). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is always in search of the lost sheep (Mt 18:12). Jesus continues to pour out His mercy on good thieves about to die (Lk 23:43), prostitutes (Mt 21:32), demoniacs (see Lk 8:2), ferocious persecutors of His Church (Acts 9:18), and each one of us. Now is the season of mercy. Totally give your life to Jesus and invite as many people as possible to do the same (see 1 Cor 9:19). The season of mercy may be ending soon. Come to Jesus now.
Prayer: Father, I plead for Your mercy and salvation in Jesus.
Promise: "Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." —Is 40:8
Praise: St. Ambrose, referring to Scripture, wrote: "He who is full, refreshes others."
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 21, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1999