A Book for the Jubilee Year

By: Nicola Albanesi, CM

The work of Father Toscani falls into the category of a classical formational book, a work that leaves an impression on the reader.  It is right to state that the book touches one’s sensitivity, utilizes simple language and introduces the reader to an authentic experience.

Lo Han Hecho Conmigo is a theological meditation on the mystery of divine mercy … a contemplation of this mystery from the perspective of Jesus Christ and the manner in which this same mystery is reflected in the Church.  The mercy of the Father becomes visible in Christ and is communicated by the Holy Spirit in such a manner that believers are exhorted to become merciful as the Father is merciful (the theme of the Jubilee Year reminds us of that exhortation).

This is a book written by a Vincentian Missionary who has dedicated his life to the ministry of teaching theology and to preaching the importance of charity.  Those who have had the opportunity to know Father Toscani have often expressed their gratitude for the gift of his friendship and his wisdom.  We are all aware of the fact that when Father taught, he was able to transform his lessons into a form of contemplation and yet when he shared his reflections, he never forgot that he was a teacher.  His meditations revolved around a central theme, namely, mercy is identified with God and belongs to God alone.  Father Toscani is concerned about demonstrating the fact that mercy is a characteristic that is proper to the God of Jesus Christ.

Because mercy is a gift, only God can communicate that gift and thus, all men and women can only receive that gift and, in turn, allow themselves to be transformed by that same gift.  Therefore, the book begins with a reflection on “the revelation” of this gift of mercy and concludes with “a vision” of the destiny of humankind: an introduction into the Trinitarian mystery.  Between this “revelation” and “the vision” we find reflections on the traditional works of mercy, that is, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  Those reflections are not intended to lead us to mediate on the expressions of the goodness of men and women but rather, we are guided to reflect on those works as a manifestation of God’s love.

The language that Father Toscani utilizes avoids every form of moralism and spiritualism and sentimentalism because his words arise from the conviction that Christ in mercy incarnated and that Christ himself is the image of mercy. This means, then, that in order to be merciful and in order to practice charity and justice one must first have an experience of mercy.  Thus, the exhortations of the Church: feed those who are hungry, satisfy the thirst of those who ask for a cup of water, provide refuge for foreigners and pilgrims, visit the infirm and the imprisoned, bury the dead … comfort … counsel … teach … correct … forgive … pray.  All of those activities that have just been described enable one to have an experience of God and are the privileged channels through which God communicates and saves and reveals himself to those who are distant from God.  The merciful works of the Church are a response to the words of the Son of God: I was hungry, thirsty, unclothed, a foreigner … I was alone, infirm and imprisoned (Matthew 25).

Father Toscani reminds us that mercy is our mark or characteristic, it is the quintessence of Christian witness.  Without mercy, one’s life of faith is meaningless and the practice of religion becomes dangerous.  It is for that reason that Pope Francis has called us to celebrate this Jubilee Year and thus, we are invited to make up for that deficit of mercy which at times has been so visible in the internal organization and workings of the Church.  Thus a wonderful challenge is extended to all Christians and to all men and women.

Translated into Spanish by Roland Gutiérrez, CM

Translated into English by Charles T. Plock, CM