From today’s Scripture: “I desire mercy….”—Mt 12:7

Mercy is what God is all about. Throughout the Old Testament, God expresses mercy to a people who constantly turn their backs on God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus, the Son of God, shows mercy to people: the woman caught in adultery, the Samaritan woman at the well. The parable of the prodigal son is about God being merciful, and from the cross Christ says “Father, forgive them.”

We all want God’s mercy, but when we are asked to show it, we often resist. How often have you not sought to reconcile with a person? Such reconciliation is mercy. We pray each day the Our Father. In that prayer we not only ask for mercy, but we promise to show mercy towards others: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” That is a prayer about mercy.

Let us pray: O Merciful God, thank you for the mercy you show to us. May we in turn express our gratitude for your mercy by extending mercy to others.

Today’s author is Father Tom Charters, missionary pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in Unicoi County, Tennessee.

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