Mercy Me

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100625.cfm

Sometimes when we read a familiar passage of scripture, we immediately sink into the well-worn details. This was happening to me today with the story of the Good Samaritan. I immediately began thinking about each of the individuals and what caused them to pass by the poor stranger on the road. Then I looked back to the beginning and end of the passage and was reminded that it is about loving God and loving neighbor. What is God's definition of love? Mercy!

Perhaps the saying that we need to keep in mind is this: If you need it, give it. Need kindness? give kindness. Need patience? give patience. Need love? Give love. Need mercy? Give mercy. In the end, we need all of these things. This seems basic and simple, yet can be really hard to consistently implement.

We seemed to be ingrained with the mentality that if we give something away, we have less. This is the curse of the physical world of scarcity and limitation. In order to overcome this, we must remember who we are: eternal beings. As Christians, we are eternal beings who meant to inherit eternal life. To fully lay claim to this heritage, we must love like infinite, eternal beings. We must consider ourselves as having access to an unlimited store of love to pass on to others. Need some of my time? Sure, I have lots of it - I am eternal.

This is 'pie in the sky' many will argue - there are still only 24 hours in a day, and things need to get done. Yep. But what things? And are they as important as attending to the needs of others. If this is still a struggle for you, that's OK, you can make slow progress. Perhaps it is easier for you to think about extending mercy - to EVERYONE. Here's a quick exercise: watch the news and speak words of forgiveness over every person that is reported as doing something you oppose. Forgive, the politicians, the criminals, the newscasters - everyone. In doing this, you become neighbor to them.

Shrink the world and bring everyone into your virtual neighborhood by showing mercy in your prayer and in your actions. I feel compelled to do this, not because I am some kind of saint, but because I am a sinner and in need of the world's mercy on me, and more importantly God's mercy on me.