Mercy: to hear the cry Of others

How many of us have good intentions and desires to to something for the others. We dream and plan things for someone outside. We have projects to show mercy and compassion towards the others. But sometimes we forget those who are Unser our nose, close by and may be in our families and communities. They are forgotten or get no attention and notice at all. Charity, compassion and mercy should begin within and then out. You may not agree but it is a fact in some part of the world where the close ones are neglected at the cost of those who are are outsiders. I don't mean we shouldn't do this. We must at any cost but first serve those who are with us. Sometimes old parents are neglected but their children are great in serving others. They are very popular all over. They receiv rewards and international recognitions but the same times they are not aware what could be happening to their dear and near ones. It would be the greatest reward to take care of our own who need it. They should be shown love and concern in their old age. 

I came across in my ministry one such couple who sacrificed their everything for their children. They gave them all the best. The children got educated and migrated to other countries. They have got married and settled. But now ashamed to visit their ailing  parents. They feel awkward to introduce their uneducated parents to their friends and even children, they have forgotten that these uneducated ones gave them education. They are the true lights. They didn't eat sometimes in order to provide for th children. Dad would not use aftershave or even other things in order to provide the best to their children.when came for vacations, the grand children would even be allowed to associate with their grand children. 

Pope Francis is inviting us to see the face of Jesus Christ in others. Jesus is so close us and yet we don't recognize. We don't feel and touch him. We are going away and away. We want him to show mercy to us but when he is offering us a chance to be agents of mercy we try to flee way and close all the doors. Let us allow this mercy to be integral part of human existence. Let us not run away but embrace it.