Richard A. Sokerka
How did one of the Princes of the Church celebrate his birthday?
He spent time with a group of homeless people.
Cardinal Orani Tempesta, archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, celebrated his 66th birthday with a visit to the homeless in his archdiocese.
On the evening of his birthday, June 22, the cardinal went to the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro to meet some homeless people and to celebrate his birthday with them, according to the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro. “The cardinal offered gifts, blankets, milk and coffee, and listened to their stories,” the archdiocese’s statement said. The cardinal was able “to learn up close about the reality of those who live and sleep on the streets,” it stated.
The cardinal’s effort to reach out to the homeless was a great witness for the Church during its celebration of the Year of Mercy. It was also a reflection of the fourth Corporal Work of Mercy: to clothe the naked.
Pope Francis has said that “This Holy Year is offered to us in order to experience in our lives God’s presence beside us and his closeness above all in moments of greatest need.”
He has cautioned us that the biggest enemy of mercy is “self-love,” which in the world is manifested in the exclusive pursuit of one’s own interests without a care for others.
In this Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has called us “to be mediators of mercy with the works of mercy — to grow close, to give relief, to create unity” just like the example given to us by the cardinal visiting the homeless on his birthday.
The Year of Mercy will draw to a close Nov. 30. Each of us needs to take the time to perform acts of mercy.
After all, the Holy Father has said that showing mercy is, in fact, what “pleases God most,” and it is most certainly what is most needed in the world today.