Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7

Mercy is not an absence of justice but an abundance of grace. Mercy is the withholding of claims to be made right, claims to punish, in order to do good. Mercy is the choice to help, for the sake of one who otherwise would be responsible to help you. Mercy is a kind of deprivation, like grief or poverty of spirit.

Can we call ourselves merciful? Do we see mercy in our churches, our communities, our leaders? Reach out and offer mercy whenever it is yours to give. Only then will we be blessed with mercy ourselves.

Ethan Kirl