Year of Mercy Reflection

Friday, Dec. 25, 2015
Year of Mercy Reflection
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Editor’s note: During the Year of Mercy, the Intermountain Catholic will publish a short reflection each week written by a variety of Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City: priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, Utah Catholic Schools teachers/principals, lay ecclesial ministers, religious education teachers and others. We hope you enjoy these, and that they give insight into the myriad ways mercy can be incorporated into everyday life.
Each Christmas I am reminded anew of Jesus Christ’s great love for us all. His merciful works were plenty, providing a powerful example that we at Catholic Community Services of Utah strive to follow. Just as Christ served and healed so many during his ministry, we at CCS work to help those most in need through our Refugee Resettlement, Homeless Services, and Northern Utah programs.  
One of Christ’s most moving and enduring teachings is the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable a Samaritan aids and saves the life of a rival Levite, thereby teaching us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:25-37) 
I find this parable particularly inspiring, and am reminded of the story of Eyob (name changed to protect client privacy), which I would like to share.
 At only 11 years old, Eyob was conscripted into Eritrea’s military. Terrified of becoming a child solider, he fled to Ethiopia for safety. During his journey he was captured by child traffickers and tortured for ransom. Eventually, Eyob was released to a nearby refugee camp, was nursed back to health, and was resettled in Utah by CCS. Today Eyob is a normal American teenager who loves his foster family. Recently we connected Eyob with a doctor who provided pro bono surgery to reduce the scars from his torture. 
This holiday season, we invite you to remember those most in need in your prayers and your deeds. The face you pass on the street could very well be the woman Christ healed on the streets of Jerusalem, just as the refugee could be the Levite in need of help. Christ bestowed mercy on us all to share with our brothers and sisters. 
Merry Christmas!
Bradford R. Drake
Executive Director
Catholic Community Services of Utah

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