"Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy and delight to save." —John Gay, English Poe
We are living in what too often seems to be a merciless society. I'm not just talking about the violence, war, and political vitriol that is pervasive—making us feel less and less human. A single mistake, wrong answer, or show of weakness can disqualify a lifetime of good in this "cancel culture" where folks are so easily written off.
We're really hard on ourselves, and on each other. It is no wonder so many suffer with anxiety, perfectionism, and depression. In this current climate, there is little safety and security, and much to fear relationally. This is also true in the Church, where in 2022, 42% of its clergy considered quitting—citing stress, loneliness, and isolation, as top issues. The pressures are not just around personal and church sustainability, congregational attendance, and buildings. It is also navigating the unforgiving, intolerant, and often ruthless environment in which we now live.
MERCY is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. It is said that mercy is not getting the bad you deserve. Grace is getting the good that you don't deserve. In faith-based social justice circles, one favorite verse is Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
One pastor I know is so fanatical about mercy because he knows how much he needs it. Clergy experience people, (and they sometimes experience us), in the worst of moments. Pastors are called to understand, and are expected to show mercy and give grace to others, even if we don't receive it ourselves. In particularly difficult situations where he had the opportunity to scold, judge, write off, or punish...this pastor would opt for mercy, saying, "I don't want to reap that," He believed that mercy was part of the sowing and reaping cycle. Jesus taught His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
The Good Samaritan in Luke 10, was willing to offer a Jew, his cultural foe, the love, care, and compassion he needed after being beaten and left for dead on the road. When the despised Samaritan came, he felt compassion for his enemy, bound his wounds, and put him up in an inn. Where two religious leaders had looked the other way and passed by...he mercifully acted to save his adversary's life.
A teacher of the law had asked Jesus earlier what was the greatest commandment. Jesus replied, loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself. The leader, testing Him, asked..."Who is my neighbor?" (vs. 25-29) After telling the parable, Jesus asked the leader, "36“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” | 
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