Pope Francis Letter To A Just Society

A just society is built upon the sacrifice that mercy requires. Mercy is many things, but in its simplest definition it is kindness. Pope Francis, for example, displays mercy in his everyday life through his kindness to others. I experienced the type of mercy Pope Francis specializes in when I had an enlightening Freshman Service Day experience. Without mercy and its sacrifice, society in today’s age may never become just. Mercy is an act of kindness. Mercy is commonly misconceived as pitying someone. This is true although mercy is about much more; it is about putting someone else’s needs before your own because they need help. It is going to require sacrifice, whether or not that sacrifice is your time, money, or knowledge depends completely
Many of his writings talk about mercy and the many meanings it holds. In a letter, he contemplates the meanings of mercy in a religious sense and one of the strongest definitions was, “Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.” This quote is powerful because it shows the emphasis that Pope Francis puts on mercy to bring God and mankind together. Another letter Pope Francis wrote showcases the stress he places on how mercy is necessary in faith, he says, “Mercy will always be greater than any sin and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive.” He believes that when we sin God reacts with mercy towards us. He argues that mercy consists of joy, serenity, and peace, and that our salvation depends upon it. I agree completely with this statement because mercy towards others is what brings Christians closer to God. This concept also relates to our need for service because in Pope Francis’s full address to congress he states, “Each son and daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility.” This statement is extremely moving because as Christians and more importantly humans it is our duty to give back to our country and to our neighbors. Mercy and assistance towards others brings the faithful closer to God’s everlasting salvation. Over the course
I went to Central Cities Churches Outlook (CCC) where I indirectly helped the less fortunate by cleaning pantries, packing bags, restocking shelves, and pricing items for an antique sale. Although I did not work directly with the people that will benefit from what work I did, I know that what I did is appreciated as the two workers that were there with my group could not stop thanking us. My first thought when I walked into the food pantry was that it was gross because the walls were peeling, there was a musty smell throughout the facility, and they offered us food that looked old. I felt bad for not eating the food but the fruit looked slimy and I could not bring myself to eat it. So, I put my guilt aside and tried to focus on what the workers were saying. One of the things that stuck in my mind was the center’s philosophy to have a smile and be happy. They talked to us about how much a smile could change someone’s day or even life and how on one occasion a man who had not smiled in 3 years had a smile broader then he had ever thought possible after talking to one of the DSHA students. At CCC the workers assist people who are in high poverty situations by providing meals, hygienic products, computer use, copier and printer use, healthcare, and doctor visits. The pantry portion of the church is open Monday through Thursday from providing groceries and hygiene