Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
What does it mean to merciful in our world. Is it simply serving a meal or soothing a hurt? These are certainly merciful acts but are the reflective of our Spirit transformed core? The mercy that is blessed goes beyond compassion, it is measured by forgiveness. Forgive as you have been forgiven.
As we reflect during our observation of Lent on the mercy that has been shown to us, we are called to bring that mercy to life, to be incarnational. The news invades our meditations. A young woman in nearby Pueblo has traded her baby for the down payment on a gold Dodge Intrepid. Our mercy is gauged in our reaction to this evil act. Does our mercy extend to her, praying for her restoration and for the welfare of the family or are we quick to pass judgement? Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
No, lets just give up sugar instead. It’s easier and each cup of coffee without it will remind us with each bitter swallow of the sacrifice that we are soon to commemorate. Or, we can consider the mercy that has transformed our standing before God and pray that this same mercy can be visited on the lives of others.
Technorati tags: Lent, Jesus, Sermon on The Mount, Mercy, Faith, Christianity
LOVE | ACCEPT | FORGIVE 
Great post, Warren. Lessons in mercy often come after great cost of one’s own. It is when we have suffered, been misunderstood and scrutinized, and then on the receiving end of judgement that we begin to realize that mercy must be given without knowing the details. And, if there is a missing element of remorse, then mercy must often be given on the premise of the lack of knowledge of saving grace. 2Cor 1:3-4 speaks of comfort, but the same could be said of mercy. We have been showered with much mercy from our Heavenly Father, therefore, we are called to offer mercy to others…not based on what they’ve done, but based on who He is.