God's Mercy is Boundless - Missionary Commentary for Sunday, September 8

Readings for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 35:4-7
Psalm 146:6-10
James 2:1-5
Mark 7:31-37

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God’s Mercy Is Boundless

As we reflect on the Scripture this Sunday, Pope Francis is on the longest apostolic journey of his pontificate. From September 2-13, 2024, he is traveling to Asia and Oceania, covering almost 40,000 kilometers, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. This is his 45th trip; he has now visited 61 countries.
 
Compassion in Action. There is a very beautiful connection between Pope Francis’ journey and the message of today’s Gospel. We see Jesus on a missionary journey to the district of the Decapolis, where he encounters a deaf man who has a speech impediment. The man desperately seeks healing, begging Jesus to lay his hand on him and heal him. 

Jesus immediately responds, taking the man away from the crowd, putting his finger into the man’s ears and touching his tongue with spittle. Jesus exclaims “Ephphatha” which means “Be opened.” Marvelously, the man’s ears are opened, his speech impediment removed, he begins to speak clearly. This is a marvelous example of Jesus’ mercy and compassion. 

Central Emphasis. Pope Francis, following Jesus’ example, continually insists that mercy is the very essence of God; he expresses it this way: “Jesus said that he came not for those who were good, but for the sinners. He did not come for the healthy, who do not need the doctor, but for the sick. For this reason, we can say that mercy is God’s identity card, God of Mercy, merciful God. For me, this really is the Lord’s identity.” This quote is taken from The Name of God is Mercy, released on January 12, 2016 in 86 countries and in about 20 languages. 

Pope Francis is undoubtedly the “pope of mercy.” Although a vast amount of “mercy material” from Pope Francis is available, probably the best source is Francis’ document, Misericordiae Vultus [MV] (The Face of Mercy) [April 11, 2015]. Francis says: “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace….  Mercy [is] the bridge that connects God and man” (MV 2). 

Teacher of Mercy. Pope Francis calls Christians to a renewed practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy (cf.  MV 15).” Let us enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy” (MV 15). Our daily “living-in-mercy” is a duty for every Christian; it is not optional. Mercy addresses suffering of various types in the world: physical, spiritual, personal, structural, psychological, political, etc. 

Mercy is demanding; it is not easy; yes, its demands are often inconvenient and unpredictable; it impinges on our personal plans and schedules. We cannot calculate when mercy will be demanded of us. Mercy must spring from God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5); it is not only giving things, but giving ourselves. We strive to practice mercy in a manner that respects and restores the dignity of the recipient of our kindness. 

Jesus, Face of the Father’s Mercy. Jesus “felt deep compassion” for the needy (like the deaf man in today’s Gospel). He is moved with mercy and compassion when he sees people in need. His mercy overflows when he invites Matthew the tax collector to follow him; he looked at Matthew with merciful love and chose him: miserando atque eligendo [Francis’ episcopal motto] (Mt 9:9). Jesus spoke numerous parables devoted to mercy: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the father with two sons (Lk 15:4-7, 8-10, 11-32). 

Conclusion. Pope Francis sums up his “mercy vision” in a simple prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father…. You are the face of the invisible Father, the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy. Let your Church be your visible face in the world.”  

Notes on the Sunday Readings

First Reading
Isaiah 35:4-7 – The marvelously talented prophet Isaiah (8th century BC) uses highly poetic language to describe the future return of Israel from captivity. On that glorious day the desert will bloom and the handicapped will be freed from all their limitations.  

Responsorial Psalm 
Psalm 146:6-10 – This psalm praises God for the many miracles of mercy and compassion that he does for the oppressed, hungry, captives, blind, strangers and widows.

Second Reading 
James 2:1-5 – Here Saint James in his characteristically blunt fashion asserts that there must be no partiality between rich and poor in a Church in which all are poor and all are rich.
  
Gospel
Mark 7:31-37 – In today’s Gospel from Mark we read about a miracle described in elaborate detail. We appreciate an actual Aramaic word used by Jesus. We rejoice in amazement over the One who has done everything well.  

Notes and Commentary by Maryknoller James H. Kroeger, who recently published
Walking with Pope Francis: The Official Documents in Everyday Language 
(Orbis Books – 2023) and A Joyful Journey with Pope Francis: Exploring Twelve Pivotal Documents (Faith Alive Books — 2024).

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