Last week Jesus introduced a revolutionary idea in "thirsting for forgiveness, fairness, equity and humanity for all persons." In other words to see every human being as a "this is my beloved son... daughter." This week he introduces another revolutionary idea. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy"
Mercy was not a high value in Judaism and it was despised by the Romans. To be a person who extends mercy is to go against the culture, to be seen as weak, and certainly not someone who is upstanding and respected. And yet Jesus touches a profound human reality.
When we do show mercy it kindles an amazing feeling within. Blessed does not quite describe it... "whole, peace, warmth, love." One translation of Blessed is "happy, to be envied, deep satisfaction.
Two thoughts about "merciful". It means to banish all feelings of revenge and ill will, to seek to cultivate an attitude of love and sympathy for any person circumstance places in our path. Now that is a tall order. I'm not good at this. I am pretty good at holding grudges. I guess Jesus would tell me to take the log out of my own eye before I tried to take the speck out of your eye.
The second thought... merciful is not always convenient. I know of a church who sponsored bringing a family from Uganda to America. Wonderful friends of ours offered their second floor for the family until they could find job and housing. They arrived... mom, dad, and 5 boys. The job came for him pretty quickly. However, housing for a family of 7 was a bit more difficult. Several months became more than a year. Not always convenient.
In that time, they became very close friends and mercy, understanding, love flowed both ways. Being merciful leads us to a deeper, richer quality of life, but it takes effort. |