The call to be merciful is at the centre of this weekend’s
readings. Ultimately, it talks about ensuring that we consider not only our own
good but the good of the other. There is a call for epieikes or forbearance to
all. This means that people in positions of authority exercise it with a
consideration for those that may be affected by their decision making. This is
central to the call of Pope Francis for people to be missionaries of mercy.
There is an expectancy that we develop an attitude of epiekeia to each other.
Drawing people to God through the manifestation of our life. We are called to
be people who not only preach mercy but pray mercy, live mercy and be merciful
as our heavenly Father.
Over the next year there will be opportunities for us to
discover the importance of this. In many instances this could be as easy and as
difficult as the constant praying of the Jesus prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have
mercy on me a sinner!” This prayer has always been close to my own life as I
recognize that God calls me to a life of mercy not sacrifice. I am called to
enter into a life which entrusts myself totally to the life of God.
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