S08 Episode 06: The Power of Poverty, the Beauty of Mercy - Part 2

The Power of Poverty & The Beauty of Mercy - Part 2

In this episode we continue with Part 2 of our interview with Fr Mark-Mary CFR. We discuss the invitation to encounter the presence of Jesus in the poor, our fears that can get in the way, and living the corporal works of mercy with those who are among us. 

Fr. Mark Mary’s one thing - All the lovely women in his life and their amazing feminine genius, most especially Michelle Benzinger

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Cause of our Joy - Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C 

Michelle’s one thing - The friendship of Heather, Sister Miriam, and Fr. Mark Mary

Heather’s one thing - Canadian Thanksgiving, eh? 

Heather’s other one thing -  Maverick City, Vol. 3 Pt. 2- Maverick City Music 

Discussion questions:    

What struck you from this week’s episode? What are some fears or hesitancies that have kept you from encountering Jesus in the poor? In Matthew 25, Jesus invites us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger. Where do the opportunities to respond to this call already exist in your everyday life? How did this episode change the way you look at your response to Mathew 25? Jesus asked St. Francis to rebuild his church and Fr. Mark Mary invited us to rebuild the church through prayer. How can we continue becoming a people of prayer who allow the Holy Spirit to operate in and through us?

Journal Questions:

In Matthew 26, Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you.” Who are the poor among you? If no one comes to mind initially, pray for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see those who are in material need and those are unloved, unwanted or unnoticed.  Fr. Benedict often said the poor are the eighth sacrament - reflect on how you have received the grace of God in seeing, knowing and serving the materially and spiritually poor among you. What is the grace you need most to respond to Jesus’s invitation and live out the corporal works of mercy in your everyday life?

Quote to Ponder - “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” - Mother Teresa

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 25: 31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.’”