WHAT IS MERCY?


Mercy is...
Dictionary definition:
1. Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone who it is within one's power to punish or harm.

We know it is so much more...
Mercy is "Love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way."

Jesus Christ teaches mercy time and time again in the New testament. The Gospel of Matthew tells a parable of the "unmerciful servant" in that forgiveness, (Matthew 18 21-15) especially when it is not deserved, is at the core of true mercy.  The story teaches us that we must forgive others because we have been forgiven ourselves.


Acts of KINDNESS are the ACTION behind mercy.
When we are kind to people regardless of whether they "deserve" it or not, we are being merciful. 

Forgiving a friend in your heart and out loud to them (even if they don't ask), you are being merciful.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

1) If someone does something mean to you, don’t treat them badly in return.

2) If someone does something mean to you, do something nice to them instead.

3) Offer forgiveness to someone who has wronged you before it is asked for.

4) Trade your large ice cream cone for a sibling’s smaller one.

5) Offer to do a chore for a brother or sister who got it as a consequence.

 

Pope Francis writes "Jesus Christ is the face of God's mercy."