“Todos, todos, todos” (meaning “everyone, everyone, everyone” in Spanish and Portuguese) is a hallmark phrase voiced by Pope Francis during World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023. Clearly, the Pontiff wanted then—and throughout his pontificate—to emphasize that the Catholic Church has a place for everyone. “Having received mercy,” he would say, “let’s now become merciful.” Certainly, these last seven words also capture the heart and the message of the first New World Pope, happily and pointedly summarizing the whole of his pontificate. Sometimes called the “Pope of the Peripheries,” His Holiness boldly attempted on many occasions to reach out not only toward the materially and financially poor, but also toward the sacramentally deprived—persons whose lifestyles placed them outside the main corridors of Catholic life. A footnote in Amoris Laetitia might have given some hope to divorced and remarried Catholics, and his nod (“Who am I to judge?”) toward today’s chaotic sexual world was among his more celebrated expressions of compassion and kindness.
“That God wants to welcome all is a truth of faith,” a Portuguese Jesuit wrote after hearing the Pontiff’s words in Lisbon. “No Christian can question the universal and unconditional welcome of the heart of God without ripping up many pages of the Gospel.” And it was not just Pope Francis in his speeches and sometimes in his quips that revealed the merciful heart of God. Nor was it even Jesus Christ who first introduced notions of benevolence and clemency into religious practice. The first reading at Mass this coming Sunday offers pointed opportunities for the believer to express grace and forbearance toward any needy neighbor, with words dating back to the time of Moses.
The Old Testament passage merits reading:
“You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans. If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset; for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate” (Exodus 22:20-26).
So, mercy, especially toward the unfortunate—aliens, widows, orphans, the poor, and debtors—is a notion as ancient as revelation itself. In fact, in this Sunday’s Gospel, when Jesus is questioned about the most serious obligation that a believer must observe, even Christ cannot separate love of God from love of neighbor. A vibrant faith and a practical charity are inseparable. “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Mt. 22:40). Such instruction dates to Deuteronomy 6:5 and to Leviticus 19:18. So, practical charity for the neighbor as well as heartfelt, soulful, and mindful love for God has always been central to both the Jewish and the Christian traditions. The greatest commandment of the Law indeed!
The Diocese of Providence may be proud that it has taken the messages of ancient Judaism, Christian antiquity, and our many Catholic popes to heart and regularly reaches out to the hurting members of our local community. Many public gatherings and prayers are organized on Smith Hill on behalf of the unborn, who indeed must be included among Pope Francis’ “todos, todos, todos.” The diocese provides nightly housing for many homeless people at a former nursery and helps many with heating bills in the winter. Bishop Lewandowski leads a rosary monthly on behalf of immigrant needs in Central Falls. A new instruction on End-of-Life issues has been published by the diocesan office for Hospital and Nursing Ministries. Much scholarship money is offered to students who attend Catholic schools. And of course, parishes reach out regularly to the nursing homes, housebound, and handicapped in their areas.
“Having received mercy,” Pope Francis indeed said, “let’s now become merciful.” Believers should well examine this weekend, in the light of the Scripture readings and in the light of the Church’s constant practice, their own personal efforts to serve both God and neighbor as faithful observers of the whole Law of God.
