Patricia Datchuck Sánchez

After a stint of several years in Africa, a European missionary went on a home visit and returned after a few weeks with a fine set of colorful posters that he used to illustrate his sermons. As he had hoped, the pictures proved to be a great success. Each Sunday after the liturgy, many in the congregation would linger around the posters and discuss what they had learned.

Radio broadcaster, Paul Harvey (1918-2009) who, at the peak of his 40-year career, was heard on 1,600 radio stations by 24 million people weekly, was best known for what he called, “The Rest of the Story.”

“There are new rules in place now,” he said. “There is no more black and white, no more segregation. We are, all of us, experiencing a new beginning. We are all green with new life.” 

Growing up, we each had chores so that we might contribute toward the family’s well-being and learn responsibility. One of mine, not my favorite, was to keep the fire going when my dad set up the grill for a cookout.

 When he inaugurated the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “We want to live this Jubilee Year in light of the Lord’s words, Merciful like the Father” (Misericordiae Vultus #13).

Jesus is the face of God made visible, the wisdom of God revealed and the One who daily challenges the quality of our discipleship. 

Have you ever suffered for your faith? Has any harm come to you because you believe in Jesus? At this very moment, there are Christians being tortured and killed because they dared to admit that they are believers.

What is expected of us as we watch and work for the realization of God’s reign among us? What should we be doing in this seemingly endless interim between the appearances of Jesus?