Fr. Alan Syslo, CSV, will celebrate 50 years in priesthood later this year. Over those 
years with the Viatorians, he has served in a variety of ministries, from Peoria and Louisiana, to Las Vegas and California.
Currently, he serves as an associate pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Community in suburban Las Vegas. Here, he offers a reflection on God’s unconditional mercy, through the ages.
In the story of the Exodus and thereafter, we are told about the hardness of hearts. God said they were a rebellious people. They often turned to the gods who were made of wood and stone. They were gods made from the hands of people; gods who could not speak, or hear, or move. But God never gives up.
At a time when eye had not seen, nor ear has heard, or even had a thought what God could do, it happened. In the mystery of salvation, God pours forth His Love and gives to us His Son who speaks, and hears and moves. His are the hands of mercy.
He is one who speaks to the poor and those who carry a heavy burden. He is the one who hears those who are crying out for mercy. He is the one that reached out to those of little worth in the eyes of others. He moved toward, he heard, he spoke, and there was mercy and forgiveness and healing.
We may struggle with the gods in our lives but we can turn to the God of mercy to help break open our hardness of heart. The merciful Jesus who hears us and speaks to us, and moves toward us so as to embrace us with His hands, His heart, His love.
Help me, Lord Jesus, to move toward You, to speak to You, to hear You speak to me. And help me to hear and speak and move to those for whom You care. Embrace me and embrace them with You love.