# Prayer for the grace to do works of mercy towards our neighbor
*2015-07-12*

> Bill Young reflects on the courage of martyrs and offers a prayer asking for the grace to embody divine mercy in every action and sense.

## Remembering the Martyrs

Today is Sunday, July 12th, and we celebrate the feast days of Saints John Wall and John Jones. John Jones lived in the 16th century and John Wall in the 17th; both were in England, and both were martyred for their faith and for practicing their priesthood. 

This reminds us that the persecution of faith continues today. We think of the priest in Syria who disappeared on July 4th, and we remember the heartbreaking images of children killed by ISIS for their Christian faith. While we are fortunate to have freedom of religion here, we must not remain silent. Please pray for those who only wish to practice their faith, and speak out against these injustices.

## The Call to Mercy

One of the greatest works of mercy we can perform for our neighbors is prayer. We must pray for the innocent and for those suffering for their faith. Today, we focus on a prayer for the grace to do works of mercy towards our neighbors, asking the Holy Trinity to transform us into living reflections of divine mercy.

## A Prayer for Merciful Senses

Oh most holy Trinity, as many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify your mercy. I want to be completely transformed into your mercy and to be your living reflections. O Lord, may the greatest of all divine attributes, that of your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbor's soul and come to the rescue. Help me that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbor's needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and tedious tasks. Help me that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbors, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. May my true rest be in the service of my neighbor.

## A Merciful Heart and the Three Degrees of Mercy

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful, so that I myself may feel all the suffering of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who I know will abuse my kindness, and I will lock myself in the most merciful heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

You yourself command me to exercise three degrees of mercy. First is the act of mercy—a kind deed. Second is the word of mercy; if I cannot carry out a deed, I may assist with my words. Third is prayer. If I cannot show mercy by my deeds or words, I can always pray. My prayer reaches out even where I cannot reach out physically. Oh my Jesus, transform me into yourself, for you can do all things. Amen.

*When we cannot help others through direct action or words, we can always exercise the third degree of mercy through the power of prayer.*