the-mercy-workers

[the-mercy-workers]

While scrolling Instagram I came across a video from an organization called the BeHeard movement. They provide showers, laundry services, mail services, haircuts, clothes, and other things to homeless people in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas for free

From their website;

The BeHeard movement helps those experiencing homelessness through their mobile drop-in center. It provides showers through a shower trailer, laundry services through a laundry trailer, clothing through a clothing trailer, haircuts through a barbershop bus, and case management. Our vision is to help end homelessness one person at a time one shower at a time. Our mission is to use soul work and social work to benefit the community, businesses, and those experiencing homelessness.

Their work is so amazing, I recommend looking through their website and donating if you can. Maybe someday with enough support, their movement will be able to spread across the nation. I'd love to see centers like theirs in my state

[the-mercy-workers]

Something that we can do to practice our prayers for other people, is to use the random memories that may sometimes pop into our mind throughout the day. Remembering a joyful moment? Pray for all the people that were there with you. Remembering a heated argument? Pray for all the people that you were in that argument with. Remembering a time you were sad and were comforted? Pray for the people that comforted you.

[the-mercy-workers]

Never think that you're incapable of making someone's day. When I was homeless and visiting a food bank, a woman brought over the milk and sugar for my cup of tea because she realised I was too shy to go over and ask for it. I went home and cried at that small gesture. When someone is in crisis, even really basic things become big obstacles in their way. Even the smallest gesture is enough to pull someone back from the edge. Even a simple "Hey, thinking of you and wishing the best for you :)" can be deeply comforting. Be the person that provides someone in darkness some light. And know that the kindness you share, will always find its way back to you when you most need it.

[the-mercy-workers]

Pope Francis passed away this morning. I considered him a mercy worker, his words were an inspiration to me while making this blog. He cared so deeply about the dignity of everyone, urging the Church towards peace, hope, love, and charity. Please pray for his soul and please don't forget these words;

Pope Francis, please pray that we always strive to serve others and reflect God's love

[the-mercy-workers]

Leaving quarters on/near a vending machine is an easy and cheap way of showing others mercy. Some people don't have quarters for a bottle of water, a snack, a tampon, etc. This way they can get something they need, and it might encourage people who have change to leave theirs for someone else to use, too

[the-mercy-workers]

Reminder to my fellow Christians:

The people that we reject for social/political/religious/class-related reasons are the people that Jesus is meeting at the well. Whoever you think is "other" than you is the person to whom Jesus is offering living water. Whoever you look upon with contempt or disdain is the person to whom Jesus is saying, "I who speak to you am He."

[the-mercy-workers]

We turn our backs on Christ when we demonize and dehumanize other people made in the image of God, or when we ignore the poor and vulnerable right before us

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, "Remember Your Death Lenten Devotional"

[the-mercy-workers]

Instead of joking about and celebrating Julius Caesar's assassination, today would be a great day to pray for his soul and the souls of those who killed him. Remember that he was a human being who God loved, too

The dignity of others is to be respected in all circumstances, not because that dignity is something we have invented or imagined, but because human beings possess an intrinsic worth superior to that of material objects and contingent situations. This requires that they be treated differently. That every human being possesses an inalienable dignity is a truth that corresponds to human nature apart from all cultural change. For this reason, human beings have the same inviolable dignity in every age of history and no one can consider himself or herself authorized by particular situations to deny this conviction or to act against it.

Pope Francis, "Fratelli Tutti" no. 213

[the-mercy-workers]

Church tradition has always urged prayer for the dead, in particular by offering the celebration of the Eucharist for them: it is the best spiritual help that we can give to their souls, particularly to the most abandoned ones. The foundation of prayers of remembrance is found in the communion of the Mystical Body... Remembering the dead, caring for their tombs and prayers of suffrage are testimony to confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death does not have the last word on human destiny, as humanity is destined for a life without end, that has its root and its fulfillment in God.

Pope Francis, November 2nd Angelus, 2014

[the-mercy-workers]

When I was a kid I hated going to funerals. Being around all of the sadness and crying people made me uncomfortable. But after growing up, reading more about the works of mercy, and caring more about people in general, I realized how much of an honor it is to go. Our presence says "I know you're mourning and saying goodbye is hard, I'll mourn and say goodbye with you. You're not alone". It's a hard but very important act of love

[the-mercy-workers]

The road to Heaven is paved with works of mercy, and these works are just as much for our well-being as they are for others. In serving the poor, we find Christ our Life. In serving the vulnerable, we evade death and find true and lasting life.

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, "Remember Your Death Lenten devotional"

[the-mercy-workers]

When you begin to pay closer attention to the works of mercy you really start to see how kindness is ingrained in all of them. Some of them you may be able to mimic without kindness, but genuine kindness and love is how we represent God and it shouldn't be abandoned. So don't forget kindness when you interact with or talk about others, regardless of who they are or what they believe. They're human beings who God loves, and as His people, we need to represent Him as best we can

[the-mercy-workers]

[the-mercy-workers]

I've been thinking. You see a lot of stuff going around in Christian circles about how you don't *have* to give to beggars, they might just use it for drugs, you couldn't even help all of them if you did, etc. etc...

But like.

What if we did, tho.

What if each set aside the amount of money we thought we could afford for it each month, and just kept a couple 5$ bills in our wallets. And we stopped worrying about what they were gonna do with it and just tried to help? And once you're out for the month that's fine, because you know another Christian will have it covered. Like yeah most of us can't afford to sell all our possessions, but we've got $30, right?

You know, what if. What if we did. What if that was our legacy. Because man, it used to be. And I'm tired of it not being again.

[the-mercy-workers]

Since the holiday toy drive post is circulating again, I figured this would also be helpful! Food insecurity is such a massive problem in America, in general, and if you have the means to help feed others, I think you should take that opportunity. Here are some other tips:

1. If you’re planning on donating items from your own pantry, please check the expiration dates on the packaging. Think of your donations as gifts to bestow, not castoffs to be rid of. It’s awful to think of people feeling like they got scraps someone else just didn’t want. Everyone deserves dignity with their meals.

2. If you’d rather give money to a food bank, that’s also great since they buy food in bulk and know what items are most wanted/needed!

3. Not everyone has access to appliances like stoves or microwaves or hot plates so if you can donate items that don’t need to be heated up, that would also be greatly appreciated!

🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

[the-mercy-workers]

[the-mercy-workers]

Having to explain why donating hygiene items like deodorant and shampoo to homeless people is a good thing to an adult twice my age like they were five and still having them be peeved about it is super annoying 🙂

Anyway dearhearts, donating hygiene items to the homeless is good and important because

You're more likely to get a job if you're clean

Uncleanliness can lead to sickness

People deserve to not be dirty just because they're homeless

This shouldn't cause anger