Pope Francis is truly a “pope of mercy”; he has focused the Church’s attention on the theme of mercy and the poor. His document, Misericordiae Vultus (MV) (The Face of Mercy), proclaimed an entire year of mercy, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the close of Vatican II (1962-1965). Francis says: “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace…. Mercy [is] the bridge that connects God and man” (MV 2).

In Episode 2 of Among The People, Father John Dear joins us to discuss how he has committed his life to promoting world peace, social justice, non-violence and awareness to the extreme dangers we face with climate change. His empowering message will motivate you to deeply consider your personal role in ending violence, racism and poverty as he shares his own accounts of non-violent activism, incarceration, protest and putting himself in harm’s way for the promotion of peace and justice. “To be a Christian, is to be a person of non-violence. Which means to be a christian you cannot have anything to do with war, racism, greed, nuclear weapons, environmental destruction … you have to be continuing Jesus’ life of revolutionary non-violence.”His profound stories range from hitch-hiking through war ravaged Lebanon, where from the Sea of Galilee he witnessed Israeli bombs drop upon the place where Jesus spoke. Father Dear goes on to share his reflections from his life-long work that has taken him around the world, from the most dangerous war-zones to the streets of the largest cities, spreading his message in protest to violence and social injustice. Father Dear is an author and sought after lecturer on the topics of peace, disarmament and nonviolence throughout the United States, and around the world, including national speaking tours of England, Australia and New Zealand.Father Dear has received several peace awards, including the 2010 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award and has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. In January 2008 he was nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and with Leo Rebello in 2015.Today, Father Dear lives completely off the grid on a remote mountain top in the desert, but continues his busy schedule of education people on the necessity of creating a new culture of peace throughout the world. “We all have to become activists, we all need to stand in opposition to the culture of war.”

Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, PriestLK 6:39-42"Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?How can you say to your brother,‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?”

Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary TimeLK 6:20-26Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:“Blessed are you who are poor,for the Kingdom of God is yours.Blessed are you who are now hungry,for you will be satisfied.Blessed are you who are now weeping,for you will laugh…"

In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes a forceful statement: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Saint Paul in the second reading speaks of one of his own crosses, his imprisonment. In many of his letters Paul explains his profound insights on how we are to view Christ’s cross as well as our own crosses, thus, becoming Christ’s disciples.

Ansel Augustine offers a personal and historical perspective on issues of race and inequality in the church as he considers the challenges posed by the rise of Millennials, Gen Z, and future generations. A recent study on diversity in the Catholic Church revealed that 72 percent of Gen Z, which is majority non-white, consider racial equality to be one of the most important issues today. And yet the church has been slow to respond. This tells us that “ministry as usual” from a Eurocentric perspective will not work. In response, Augustine provides insights as to how the church can respond to racial injustice not only in our changing society, but more importantly, how the church can stay relevant and real for this justice-hungry generation.

Today’s first reading and Gospel focus our reflections on humility. They also remind us of that popular biblical passage from the prophet Micah: “This is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.”

In our Gospel today we hear Jesus using the word “kingdom” twice. The Gospels reveal that Jesus used this term Kingdom nearly one hundred times; yet, he never defined it, even though it is a central theme in his teachings and parables. It refers to God’s ultimate victory over all the enemies of humanity: sickness, hatred, greed, jealousy, and even death itself!

In this episode, Megan and Father Joe interview Kevin Foy,  National Team Leader of Teacher and Catechist Outreach at Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. They discuss Kevin's experiences as a former teacher working with youth, his life as a catechist and a lay person who is helping to promote and transform the church in the US among young people. Kevin has more than fifteen years experience ministering to and with ethnically and economically diverse communities across the United States, has worked as a middle school teacher and curriculum consultant in multiple dioceses, and has led mission immersion experiences in North, Central, and South America.Episode NotesYou can reach Kevin Foy at: KFoy@Maryknoll.orgDiscover Your Neighbor: Classroom education program.

Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary TimeMT 22:1-14Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a kingwho gave a wedding feast for his son."

“We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” the opening words of today’s second reading, Hebres Chapter 12 verses 1 through 4, describe the presence of many holy people in the Church. You and I, while we are both holy and sinful ourselves, belong to this community of Jesus’ disciples. What a great privilege! We are constantly inspired by the example of our fellow-disciples to be faithful Christians in all life’s circumstances

Recently, Jesuit Father James Martin, best selling author, editor-at-large of America magazine and consultant to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communication, shared his thoughts on prayer, forgiveness and more with our senior marketing technologist, Adam Mitchell.Jim Martin is an American Jesuit priest, a writer, and editor-at-large of the Jesuit magazine America. He grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and now lives in the America House Jesuit Community in midtown Manhattan. On April 12, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Martin and EWTN leader Michael Warsaw as consultants to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communications.