Thought for the Day – 12 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Blessed are the Merciful
“Some day each of us will have to stand before the judgement seat of God and will have to render an account of all his actions.
Are we anxious that God will be merciful to us at that crucial moment?
Let us be forgiving and charitable towards others now!
It is clear from the words of the Gospel, that we shall be pardoned or condemned, largely in accordance with the measure of our mercifulness and charity.
God will show mercy towards us as we show mercy towards others.
In fact, the Eternal Judge will say to the good: “Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the word: for I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; naked and you covered me; sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”
Then He will turn to the wicked and deliver this terrible sentence: “Depart from me accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you did not give me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take me in; naked and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison and you did not visit me … Amen, I say to you, as long as you did not do it for one of these least ones, you did not do it for me.” (Mt 25:34-46).
These are terrifying words.
They should persuade us to exercise charity towards all who are suffering in any way at all!”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
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