The Quality Not Strained

What did the Galilean mean when he mentioned mercy? He thought highly of it, for he did say: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7, NIV)

We don’t dwell on it much these days. Many feel it is more blessed to be rich than merciful, better to win than show mercy, and better to exact revenge than forgiveness. But it is right there in one of the most prominent places in all of Christianity, the Sermon on the Mount. A trait can’t get a better endorsement than to star in The Beatitudes.

The Galilean thought highly of the trait of mercy. Why don’t so many of us?

It was a cruel and violent age during which this most famous sermon took place. Wars, conquests, crucifixions, gladiatorial spectacles, and slavery occurred without a thought of their inherent cruelty. A look at the morning news might indicate that we are headed more toward, as a society, this state than away from it. That’s why it might be important to look closely at this state of mercy.

Oddly, to show mercy, one needs to be in a position to be unmerciful. It is dissimilar to, say, the quality of love, in which the more we give, the more there is to give. Mercy means being patient with people's weaknesses, differences, shortcomings and quirks.

It is dissimilar to sacrifice, in which one might suffer in order to provide solace to another, for example when a homeless man gives his coat to another on a frigid night. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt, offend, or torment you.

 It is dissimilar to a mandate, in which one provides mercy as an exaction, say by paying taxes. Mercy means personally helping someone you know who is hurting, even though they bear no resemblance to you physically, spiritually, nationally, or socially.

It is dissimilar to reparations or judgements. Mercy means reaching out to those whom we don’t love, or those who are the most difficult to love.

It requires a direct manifestation. One doesn’t show mercy, for example, by tossing coins in a holiday pot. That shows kindness and goodness maybe, but not mercy. It requires a face-to-face transaction for which, the Galilean asserts, one will receive it back in the future.

Is it any wonder that we see it in practice so seldom, this trait of mercy? Wouldn’t it be nice to see it roll into America from the highest halls and offices? Maybe, just maybe, justice would roll along with it. That might make the Galilean happy.

"The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes." Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice Act IV Scene I

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