"The Alphabet of Mercy" | T for TENDERNESS

A letter of the alphabet and then think of a word that reminds us of the works of mercy. This Wednesday, we have the – T

A reflection on the tenderness of our friend and correspondent Chiara Pellicci, from Lucca, professional journalist, editor of the magazine missionchildren's magazine «Il Ponte d'Oro» and the monthly magazine «Popoli e Missionand"

One cannot be merciful if one does not practice tenderness. It may seem like a binding, almost exaggerated statement, but performing gestures of mercy Without "heart," mercy is limited to philanthropy. And tenderness, as we know, is the expression of what comes from a docile, kind, and tender heart.

Pope Francis himself underlined the connection between mercy and heart, in a video message sent to the 14th National Meeting of Open hands, the Christian-inspired volunteer organization founded in 1992 in Villa de Mayo, near Buenos Aires, at the instigation of the Jesuit Father Angel Rossi.

"There is no mercy," Bergoglio said, "if it does not begin with the heart, a heart wounded by the misery of others, by the painful situation of others, a heart that allows itself to be wounded."

Mercy, therefore, is a journey from the heart to the handsAnd where there is an action that comes from the heart, there cannot help but be tenderness.

So "mercy" is not only the seven corporal works of mercy and the seven spiritual works of mercy. they are also subtle, simple, delicate gestures, almost invisible to mostBut also very powerful for those who can see them, because they are an expression of the heart's motion.

Gestures like asking permission politely, saying thank you when there's no need, noticing a shadow on someone's face, or refraining from saying a word because it might hurt.

Gestures that know how to protect. Like, for example, being able to listen without asking questions. Staying close without invading someone's space. Or even simply asking "may I?" before opening a window. These (and countless other!) acts of mercy are always and only motivated by the heart, which uses tenderness as its language.

Jean Vanier, founder of the Arca community, philosopher and writer, in his book “Who answers the cry?” says a praise of tenderness and describes it as "the attitude of the body: of the eyes, of the hands, of the tone of voice (...). It consists in recognizing that the other is beautiful and revealing it to them. But with our body, through the way we listen to them, through the words we address to them." And he adds: "Jesus came to teach us tenderness. It is the attitude that allows us to welcome the other and live in relationship with them."

In other words, having good feelings may not be enough to practice mercy. But practicing tenderness is already practicing mercy, because it means placing others at the center, welcoming them, and entering into a relationship with them.

But there is more: tenderness is also a revolutionary attitude, as Pope Francis aptly described in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, in which he uses the expression "revolution of tenderness" several times.

Even in the homily of the Holy Mass on Christmas Eve 2014 he invoked the centrality of tenderness, exclaiming: «How much the world needs tenderness today! God's patience, God's closeness, God's tenderness!' Behold, this poor world—ever more rebellious, violent, and indifferent—truly needs a revolution: that of tenderness, the mercy that comes from a kind heart.

If you too want to write "your" word of mercy, choose a letter and send it to: editor@spaziospadoni.org (Loredana Brigante)

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