Mercy - part I

MERCY

Parts from: https://pastorrick.com/seven-ways-to-be-merciful/

The first Sunday after Easter in the Catholic Church is “Divine Mercy” Sunday.  The concept is that God is so merciful towards us.

But, I want to look at Old Testament verses of Mercy on this day.

Let’s look at some definitions (from dictionary.com)

-1 compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence:

“Have mercy on the poor sinner.”

-2 the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: “an adversary wholly without mercy.”

-4 an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: “She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.”

-5 something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: “It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.”

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As I started this, I remember my grandmother saying “For mercy sakes” or others saying “Mercy Me” 

But, when I consider the Old Testament (especially the Pentateuch - the first five books), I don’t see much mercy.  The Egyptians didn’t seem to show much mercy to the Israelites when they were slaves; the Israelites didn’t show much mercy as they conquered the “Promised Land”.  Some directions from God - through Moses - were to kill everything as they take over the land.  For example, Joshua 6:17 as they took Jericho “They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.”  (Not very merciful to the people of Jericho!!!)

But, later we have these verses:

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalm 25:10.

“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15.

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“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 - part of the Sermon on the Mount”

So, how can we be merciful? This is long and will be continued tomorrow:

-1 Be patient with people’s quirks. What person in your life has irritating quirks? How can you practice patience with that person this week?

I was reading about “enduring” and “embracing” the other day.  Are we ‘enduring’ our spouse's quirks, their rudeness, their outspokenness?  They are unique people - just as we are!!!  We can only change ourselves - but if we have any influence on others' behaviors, we need to be merciful.  Praise him or her for their good traits, wrap your arms around them.  Love and mercy tend to be synonymous.  If you crab and complain about your spouse (or they crab and complain about you), you are adding wood to the fire - show love - ‘turn the other cheek’.  

As they (whoever ‘they’ is)  say “hindsight is 20/20”.  If I would have shown mercy and love more, the outcomes may have been different.  

Can we be like Mother Teresa of Calcutta - showing God’s mercy to the ‘poorest of the poor’ - even when they didn’t want the help of a Catholic/Christian/Western Europe Nun?

-2 Help anyone around you who is hurting. See who around you is obviously hurting—and then look for a way you can help this week. If you can’t find anybody, then you’re not paying attention. Look closer!

At this time (about a month into quarantine and social isolation), there are lots of people who are hurting.  What can you do?  Call them, encourage them, and … be merciful to them.

-3 Give people a second chance. Who in your life needs a second chance? How can you show that person mercy and compassion this week?

Not only a ‘second chance’ but a third and fourth.  While mercy isn’t quite the same of forgiving anybody, Jesus said to forgive “Seventy times Seven” - shouldn’t mercy and kindness have similar limits (that is, unlimited mercy and kindness)?

So, as you think of mercy - who can you be merciful to today?  And, not just one!!!  If one believes in heaven, I “hope” God is merciful to me - the beatitude “Blessed be the merciful for they shall see mercy” (that is, if I am merciful, God will be merciful to me).   

Hugs - Mercy - and Love My Friends!!  (This too shall pass)

Karen