January 21.   After David had saved Saul’s life, Saul said, “You are more righteous than I.    Jude shared, “Is mercy, like our own concept of ubuntu, not an internal quality, a God-like quality that leads us to value life even over justice?  In his letter The Face of Mercy, Pope Francis continually describes Jesus’ way that goes beyond the law and practises mercy.  But in reality, whenever we hear of a serious crime and a judgement we hear people, especially those closely affected say, ‘I won’t forgive.  I want him to rot in jail or in hell.’  Where is the call to mercy in that? Is mercy so difficult but could we try to start practicing it at home?” “I do believe that the late Archbishop Tutu was an example for us.” Joan added.  Becoming an eco-friendly family:  Is there someone you know who needs your mercy?

Read 1 Samuel 24:2-20.   After David had saved Saul’s life, Saul said, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me with good, whereas I have repaid you with evil.  You did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands.”   Pope Francis: I ask God to prepare our hearts to encounter our brothers and sisters, so that we may overcome our differences rooted in political thinking, language, culture and religion.  Let us ask him to anoint our whole being with the balm of his mercy, which heals the injuries caused by mistakes, misunderstandings and disputes. FT 254.