Thursday, 25 April, 2002

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Text: Matthew 5:7



In the previous four beatitude, "blessed" were those who were at the short end of the stick. In many ways, they were not directed to typical middle class folk like us. But now, there is a turn in the direction of the blessing. Here we have the beginning of blessing as promises of rewards for people (just like us) who join God in alleviating the suffering of the folks listed in the first four beatitudes. What a job description! We are invited to be a people who put into our day deeds of loving kindness, acts of compassion and sprinkle the day with forgiveness. It may not sound like much and yet Mercy is always consider the weightier matter of the law throughout scripture. It is with mercy and kindness that Jesus eats with all people...all people. To be merciful and compassionate and kind and forgiving may just be the death of us. It was for Jesus. I think mercy scares most people. I even think we are anxious about the truth that God is all merciful. It is a radical way to be alive in this world. Mercy gives us the opportunity to be more present with those around us. It is the way doors are open and people are set free. The promise is that we will be set free even as we set our lives to be those who are instruments of liberation through our loving kindness.



Connection: Deeds. This is a proactive piece of the Reign of God. Acts of compassion, acts of loving kindness...within the next hour or two we will each have opportunities to display the Reign of God right within our own work and school day. In exercising God's gift of mercy, take note of the consequences of such actions.



Merciful God, give us the eyes to see your ways within our every step. Walk with us that we may come to understand how our hearts can be open to welcome and care and hold and forgive and be merciful to your beloved creatures who are our neighbors and those with whom we spend our days. Help us see the way of mercy and to face the consequences when mercy is the way among us. Amen