23 January. Mercy.  SEE:  Is mercy 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 described Jesus’ way that goes beyond the law but practises mercy. Whenever we hear of a serious crime and a judgement we hear people, especially those closely affected say, “I want him to rot in hell.” Where is the call to mercy in that?”  Portia reflected, “Could it really be possible to forgive someone and something that has personally harmed me, the man who raped me as a child, and the memory that does not go away? Fr Joseph has helped me to pray over it, link it with the love of Jesus for me and for sinners too, Seeing his humanity is helping me heal. Can I help others to experience the same?”       

JUDGE, reflect and share:  Scripture: 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: Mercy is a concrete action of love. By forgiving it transforms and changes lives. In this way the divine mystery of mercy is made manifest.  MM2.  Pope Leo: Jesus said to those who were with him: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.”  And he immediately added: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (Jn 14:27). Their distress and fear were certainly connected to the violence soon to befall him. But, more deeply, the Gospels do not hide the fact that what troubled the disciples was his nonviolent response: a path that they all, Peter first among them, contested; yet the Master asked them to follow this path to the end.

ACT: Decide on possible appropriate action.   Conclude with prayer