ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 4, 2023
Pope Francis wrote: “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
Laura Amy Schlitz is a librarian, storyteller, and author. She wrote: “Folklore has a moral center to it. Folklore is always, always, always on the side of the underdog, and children have a natural instinct toward justice. They feel indignation at needless cruelty and wistfulness about acts of mercy and kindness.”
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Mercy makes the world a better place; even the youngest among us recognize this to be true. Some of our greatest teachers and sages have called upon humanity to show mercy, even when it is hard. Why is it that we struggle so much with the notion of mercy, even when we are not directly involved or impacted. We watch a story on TV, and when the moment arrives, we hope to see revenge instead of mercy.
What would make you a more merciful person? In this Season of Lent, what is something you need to relinquish or what is something you need to learn that will help you be called one of the Blessed because you showed mercy.
At times, it can be tough, even excruciating, to show mercy. Yet we look to you, Merciful God, and find One whose capacity for kindness and forgiveness is limitless. As recipients of your boundless gifts, help us to learn how to show mercy. Amen.
