Jesus' Call to Mercy "I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. Many souls ... are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy" (1317)
1 comment:
I like the quote. But the accompanying text on the referenced page, with lists of corporeal works and spiritual works, is very misguided. Does God always feed the hungry here? If not, does that mean that He is not merciful? Does God always counsel those in doubt?
I could ask such questions for everything on those lists. That should tell you that such simplistic analysis, and such simplistic judgment of others’ actions, is not aligned with God’s values and judgments.
Mercy is not always given. Judgment and trade-offs between values is applied. As we move closer to God, we move closer to understanding His mercy.
Still, I like the quote. It is oversimplified, as it must be for those who are not merciful, and who would bring punishment upon themselves.
Milk not meat.
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