Week of 24 September, 2018

Day after day, ordinary people become heroes through extraordinary and selfless actions.

~ Sylvia Mathews Burwell ~

If I encounter a person sleeping outdoors on a cold night, I can view him or her as an annoyance, an idler, an obstacle in my path, a troubling sight, a problem for politicians to sort out, or even a piece of refuse cluttering a public space. Or I can respond with faith and charity, and see in this person a human being with a dignity identical to my own, a creature infinitely loved by the Father.

 

Pope Francis
Gaudete et Exsultate, 98

 

Lord,

Lord, grant me

the grace

to see your face

in everyone I meet.

Help me to accept

all people as my

brothers and sisters

and to treat them

with dignity

and respect.

Amen.

 

Catholic Parliamentary

Liaison Office

Jesuit Institute
South Africa

Reflection prepared by

 
Mrs Ursula van Nierop

Ursula van Nierop was born in Germiston. After completing her schooling at the St Thomas Aquinas Convent in Witbank, she obtained a B.Nursing (cum laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1990. She went on to work as a midwife at the Johannesburg Hospital. In 1999, Ursula started working for the Society of Jesus as secretary to the Regional Superior. In 2005, she was appointed as the Finance Officer for the Society of Jesus in South Africa. She moved to the Jesuit Institute as the Deputy Director in 2016. Here she is involved in the day to day management of the Institute office and various projects. Ursula believes that it is the role of all to make a difference in our society, especially to those on the margins. Ursula is married to Martin and they have five children.

u.vannierop@jesuitinstitute.org.za
See more from Ursula van Nierop

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