“Be merciful, as your Father is merciful” (Lk. 6:36-38)

Mercy = to bring to the heart the miseries of others

God has mercy on us in the highest degree. He forgives us for our mistakes a thousand times. Many times we play with this knowing that God’s forgiveness will be just around the corner, and yet, He forgives us again, loves us, takes care of us…

Mercy is the posture of compassion for the miseries of others. It manifests itself in assisting those who are wrong, in running to meet others when they need it, in forgiving those who ask us for forgiveness. It’s not pure sympathy, it’s practical. It is to feel sorry for others, that is, to suffer with, it is to help them carry the burden, no matter how small. It’s being benevolent in judgment, thinking that it can happen to anyone.

The Pope, in a short homily, challenged all those who listened to him in person or followed him through the networks and media. It is something that invites each of us to do it right now:

“I’m asking you something, now. Silently, all of us, let’s think…  Everyone think of a person with whom we are not on good terms, with whom we are angry, one whom we do not like. Let’s think about that person and silently, in this moment, pray for this person and be merciful to him or her.”