Articles

Mercy makes room for everyone

06/03/2025

“ … we saw you a stranger and welcomed you.”

Opening your home – or your heart – can turn hopelessness into hospitality. True welcome is more than just offering a place to stay; it is about creating a space where a person feels seen, valued, and safe. When we welcome the stranger, we recognise their dignity, seeing beyond differences and embracing them as a fellow child of God.

Many people today feel like strangers—immigrants seeking refuge, the homeless longing for shelter, the lonely searching for connection.

But there are also those who feel like strangers in their own homes, schools, or communities, unsure if they belong. A smile, a listening ear, an invitation to sit at the table – these small acts of mercy can break through walls of isolation and turn fear into friendship.

Christ Himself was once a stranger, finding no room at the inn. Yet, He calls us to welcome Him in the stranger, reminding us that every act of hospitality is an encounter with Him. When we open our doors, our hands, and our hearts, we offer not just a place to stay, but a glimpse of God’s love – a love that transforms strangers into family.

Art Insight

Honour the departed, comfort the living

04/03/2025

Every act of remembrance keeps hope alive for the living. When we honour those who have gone before us, we affirm the dignity of their lives and the love they shared. Burying the dead is more than a final farewell – it is a profound act of mercy, a recognition that every person is created by a loving God and deserves to be remembered with respect.

Grief can be heavy, but no one should carry it alone.

In comforting those who mourn, we bring light into the darkness of loss. Our presence becomes a sign of hope, reminding the grieving that love endures beyond death.

Mercy calls us to see every life as sacred – from the beginning to the very end. In burying the dead, comforting the grieving, and cherishing memories, we proclaim that no one is forgotten, and in doing so, we reflect the eternal love of God.

Art Insight

Mercy weaves hope into every thread

28/02/2025

“ I was naked and you gave me clothing.”

Mercy begins when we notice another’s need and act to fulfil it. To clothe the naked is not just about providing garments; it is about restoring dignity, warmth, and a sense of worth to those who have been stripped – physically or emotionally – of what they need to thrive. Clothing shields us from the elements, but it also represents protection, care, and belonging.

Many in our world lack adequate clothing, whether due to poverty, displacement, or misfortune. But beyond material need, others feel exposed in different ways – vulnerable to judgment, shame, or rejection. Mercy calls us to cover not just bodies but also wounds of the heart. We can clothe others with compassion, understanding, and respect, ensuring that no one feels forgotten or unworthy.

Every act of kindness that restores dignity – offering a warm coat, supporting someone in rebuilding their life, or simply treating another with love – reflects the mercy of God. Just as He wraps us in His grace, we are called to clothe others in mercy, ensuring that no one stands exposed to the coldness of indifference.

Art Insight

A Thirst for Hope

26/02/2025

“For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”

In every cup shared, there’s an invitation to connect. A simple act – offering water, tea, or coffee – goes beyond meeting a physical need; it extends a gesture of welcome, care, and companionship. Water quenches thirst, but kindness quenches loneliness. A refreshing drink revives the body, while a moment of shared presence revives the soul.

To give drink to the thirsty is more than just handing someone a glass of water. It is recognising the thirst in others – not only for sustenance but for dignity, love, and human connection.

Whether it’s offering water to the physically weary, listening to someone who longs to be heard, or creating a space where no one feels forgotten, every act of refreshment is a reminder of God’s mercy.

In a world where so many thirst for justice, belonging, and hope, how can we become living wells of compassion?

Art Insight

In Caravaggio’s depiction, a wild, bearded man drinks from a bone with water splashing onto his face. This figure is Samson, referencing the story in Judges 15. After defeating the Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, Samson grew desperately thirsty.

He cried out to God, who miraculously provided water from the jawbone, reviving him. Unlike the other mercies in this painting, this act was performed by God rather than by human hands, symbolising divine provision in moments of deep need.

Hope nourishes and breaks chains

24/02/2025

“For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

A simple meal can nourish both the body and the soul.

Food sustains life, but shared meals foster dignity, warmth, and belonging. When we feed the hungry, we don’t just fill empty stomachs – we recognise the person before us, affirming their worth and reminding them that they are not forgotten.

In every loaf broken and every meal offered, we imitate Christ, who not only fed multitudes but also shared His table with those in need of love and redemption.

Mercy can’t be confined to walls or boundaries. It reaches beyond circumstances, beyond past mistakes, and beyond society’s labels. Visiting the prisoner – whether someone behind bars or someone trapped in fear, shame, or loneliness – is an act of liberation. It is a reminder that no one is beyond God’s love. A conversation, a listening ear, or simply showing up can be a source of hope, breaking the chains of isolation and offering a path toward healing.

When we share our blessings with the hungry and visit those imprisoned – whether physically or emotionally – we become instruments of God’s mercy. We bring nourishment where there is emptiness, freedom where there is confinement, and healing where there is brokenness. True mercy feeds not only the body but also the heart, restoring the dignity of every person we encounter.

Art Insight

This image is based on a story from Ancient Rome. The story was one of the great acts of filial piety and earned Pero, the woman, great honour. As the story goes, Cimon, the father, was incarcerated and sentenced to death by starvation. Every day, when his daughter would come to visit him, she would secretly nurse him to keep him alive.

Caravaggio captures this act of mercy to emphasise the deep human connection in caring for the most vulnerable, reminding us that mercy involves both action and emotional solidarity.

12th April – “He’s not here”

12/04/2020

He is Risen! Let us spend some time meditating with great joy on this mystery. Jesus we love you and we worship you.

- - Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm.
    - Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.
  - Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

- - “He has been raised”
    - Jesus is Alive! What does this mean to me? The man who hung on the cross and died is now alive.
    - Death did not have the last word, He overcame death! Sin has no hold on those who trust and place their faith in Jesus.
    - Jesus offers us new life in him, what will I answer now to this call to follow Him?
  - Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points.
  - Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary.
    - What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
  - Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together.
    - Jesus, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Jesus help me discover the beauty of the resurrection daily.
  - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. – Make the sign of the cross.

The Rosary will be prayed every day at 5:30pm and live-streamed on TVM2, Newsbook & Church.mt, from the Curia’s chapel. We encourage you all to join us in this prayer. If you have any prayer intentions which you’d like us to pray for, you can write them below. These intentions will be kept in confidence.

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10th April – “I am thirsty.”

10/04/2020

We pray and meditate on good Friday, the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross on Calvary. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.

- - Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm.
    - Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.
  - Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

John 19:28-30

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

- “I am thirsty.”
  - Jesus calls out from the cross, “I am thirsty.” But what is this thirst about? In his dying moments why would this sentence be remembered for all these years?
  - Saint Teresa of Calcutta speaks of the thirst of Jess on the cross, as the thirst of Jesus for souls. Jesus is thirsty to love me. The cross became his ultimate sacrifice of love for us.
  - How do I respond to such love? Can I quench his thirst by humbly coming to him?
- Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points.
- Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary.
  - What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
- Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together.
  - Help me Jesus, to humble myself and come as I am to the foot of the cross, where I may quench the thirst of Jesus with love.
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. – Make the sign of the cross.

9th April – You will understand

09/04/2020

We pray and meditate at the beginning of this Easter Triduum on Maundy Thursday. We journey with Jesus as he celebrates the last supper and washes the feet of his disciples. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.

- - Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm.
    - Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.
  - Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

John 13:1-15

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

- - - “if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet”
      - Jesus today gives us a new paradigm. A new way of being, of living and loving. The Master washes the feet of his disciples. Jesus washes my feet too.
      - Do I acknowledge that I am not entirely clean, and sin in my life makes me dirty? Sin does not allow me to become who God wants me to be.
      - Jesus kneels down, and washes my feet. How do I feel? What is this great love?
      - How do I respond to this? What small daily actions can I do to respond to the call to follow his example.
    - Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points.
    - Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary.
      - What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
    - Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together.
      - Help me Jesus, to humble myself and accept my sins, to come to you and ask for forgiveness. Remind me Jesus that you never cease to forgive me and love me no matter what I have done.
    - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. – Make the sign of the cross.

8th April – Into the city

08/04/2020

We enter into a moment of prayer, as we journey during this Holy week. We pray and meditate on this sacred mystery. Jesus, have mercy on us we pray.

- - Find a suitable place where you can sit and be calm.
    - Close your eyes for a few moments and listen to the sounds surrounding you, be aware of your posture and make yourself present to enter into a moment of intimacy with Jesus.
  - Make the sign of the cross and remain for a few more moments in silence. TIP: If it helps you to concentrate and to bring yourself before Jesus in prayer, play a song or two of praise. If you do not have any specific song, we suggest this song

Matthew 26:17-19

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

- - Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
    - As tomorrow we begin the Easter Triduum, let us take some time today to reflect.
    - Will I go through these celebrations as I have done every year? Will I not take this opportunity to go reflect on a deeper level on this great mystery.
    - Jesus, what preparations should I make in my heart as I enter in these next few days of your passion and resurrection?
  - Allow a moment of silence and try to listen to what God wants to tell you today. We suggest using a notebook to write some short points.
  - Ask Mary to guide you to her son Jesus and intercede for others. Recite a Hail Mary.
    - What are the requests I wish to bring to God through Mary? For whom will I intercede?
  - Close this moment of prayer by thanking God for this moment of intimacy together.
    - Help me Jesus, to prepare myself to celebrate with you and the Church this great gift of love.
  - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. – Make the sign of the cross.