To Be Merciful

 Vengeance and retaliation are the themes of countless books and movies. Clint Eastwood portrayed it in Fist Full of Dollars, Dirty Harry and Unforgiven.  Liam Neeson followed suit in Taken and Cold Pursuit.  In recent years, vengeance and revenge have become a major theme in politics. If someone wrongs you, never forget. Get even.   In most of these stories, as in life, the path of vengeance does not end well. The anticipated satisfaction proves empty.  The hatred proves to be a poison that corrupts the soul.

 Jesus called for a more fruitful and rewarding path.  “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”  

 These words are central to his teaching. At the conclusion of his Lord’s Prayer, he reminds His followers, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses,” (Matthew 6:14-15).  He shocked Peter by expanding his proposal to forgive seven times by saying, “not seven times, but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:22).  In the depths of agony on the Cross He demonstrated mercy toward His torturers, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34). 

 At the end of the Civil War the Army of Northern Virginia was trapped and starving.  Robert E. Lee had no option but to surrender to Ulysses S. Grant. They met in Wilmer McLean’s home at Appomattox Court House, the site where the war began almost 4 years earlier. Grant could have exacted vengeance and imprisoned the entire army.  Instead, he chose mercy. He paroled all 28,000 soldiers, fed the starving men, allowed them to keep their horses and return home.

We most often think of mercy as an option for the powerful toward the weak, the dominator toward the dominated, the conqueror toward the conquered.   He who has opportunity to impose retribution and vengeance chooses instead to offer mercy and pardon. 

 But mercy is more than this.  Everyone has the option to express mercy, even the weak and the powerless.  Mercy, as Jesus expresses it, embraces the idea of looking outside oneself, to feel empathy, compassion and concern for someone else.  The opposite of being merciful is being wrapped up in oneself so that all we can think about is our own concerns and interests. 

 This may be a special temptation for the sick, the powerless, the poor and the weak.  How easily we are tempted to think only about our circumstance, our ailments, our illness and our financial needs.   We become resentful of those who are wealthier and healthier and privileged.

 But to be underprivileged, to be overlooked, to be poor, sick and feeble, and yet to remain merciful toward others, this is the mark of authentic discipleship.  It is far easier to practice mercy when you are prosperous and powerful.

 Refuse to live a self-absorbed life. Resist the downward pull of bitterness and resentment. Instead, give yourself in mercy toward others.   When you do this, your life will be enriched with the mercies of God.