Last week on one of the nights I worked late, I came home, plopped my backpack and coat on the floor, made a cup of tea, and turned the TV on. I love watching and learning from documentaries on PBS.
One had just begun. I could tell they were somewhere in Africa. Some government official was going into villages to inspect the living conditions of the women and children there. The women’s eyes looked vacant, like they were dead inside. About a dozen children were huddled against a wall of the shack looking scared. As I read the subtitles, I realized these were survivors of the 6-Day War between Rwanda and Uganda. They began telling their horrific stories to the government official.
I ended up frozen on my couch, never drinking my tea, until 11 p.m. when the documentary ended, tears rolling down my face. I cried to God, asking Him to forgive me for all the negative thoughts I’ve ever had, for all the poor choices I’ve made, and for all the times in my life that I hurt someone. I asked Him to forgive me for my part in the hate and brutal violence of that 6 Day War that left those women and children so hurt and lifeless.
I believe all the peoples of the world are connected and I am so sorry for my part.
It’s been five days since I watched that documentary and I can’t get it out of my mind or heart. I have been praying, asking Jesus to fill me with His mercy, to fill all of us with His mercy.
And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Luke 6:20-22
In this coming Sunday’s Gospel Jesus teaches us about mercy through the Beatitudes. I am one of His disciples, I follow Jesus. I need to ask Jesus for His mercy. I need to be merciful towards all those I interact with each day. I need to pray for mercy for the peoples of the world. And I need to be merciful with myself. This week let’s focus on the gentle mercy of Jesus.
May you be blessed by and be a blessing of Jesus’ mercy this week!