God’s mercy, as Julian of Norwich put it, is “all love in love.” Mercy goes much further and deeper than taking pity on someone in need or reconciling with someone who has asked forgiveness. Mercy is a way of looking at life, a way of approaching our everyday experiences and relationships. There are many signs of a merciful spirit; let’s tackle a mere four of them today.
- You expect good (behavior, attitude, intention) from others rather than habitually looking for the worst. This means that you don’t go into encounters looking for ways to judge or criticize, and you don’t enter conversations expecting a fight. You don’t put the worst possible interpretations on others’ ambiguous comments. And although you’ve experienced being used or cheated by others, you enter every relationship with hope and trust, relying on wisdom to help you protect and honor all persons.
- When you’re in a position to exercise power over others, you don’t, unless by doing so you are better able to protect or otherwise help them. For instance: If you have a naturally forceful personality, you don’t take advantage of it to get your way. If you have the means to “work the system” to get what you want, you evaluate if what you want is beneficial to the common good. You are especially sensitive to those who do not have your advantage, position, and leverage, and you look for opportunities to empower them and help them grow into their own strengths and gifts.
- You hold back from making comments or divulging information that will cause others to feel embarrassment, shame, or other discomfort. This is especially tempting in a group setting, because often the person who has been shamed or insulted knows that she would only make matters worse by responding or trying to present her side of the story.
- When you must confront another person for the right reason (correcting an error, warning of danger, clarifying a statement or event), you don’t enjoy it. That is, this confrontation does not turn into “getting this off my chest” or “setting her straight.” A merciful person feels the pain of the one she must confront, and she says what must be said as gently as possible.
It’s really disconcerting to write this post and realize that these four signs of mercy are too often absent in my own life. And I won’t ask any of the dotMagis community to confess their weaknesses! But please post your wisdom on this topic.
I need this reminder daily.
Me, too.
I have never been so happy to read this article and more like it on mercy. I often thought something was wrong with me because I have so much emotion, more than any one person should have, I thought. I find myself “bleeding out” for others who are suffering. People, the elderly, animals and children. I find myself crying into the night at times when I hear or see an abuse or neglect on any level. I’ve been told so many times that I am too emotional and I was only hurting myself with all this emotion. I just can’t help it! I see someone in distress and I just don’t think, I jump right in there as if I am saving the world. Sometimes, I bite off more than I can chew so to speak. As I did with a perfect stranger who confided in me that she was hooked on heroin. I will help you I said and took her home not realizing what a huge deal this really was. Needless to say, I had to call an ambulance when things got really bad. The great news, she survived and was so grateful. Would I do it again, yes all day, everyday. From taking in the elderly, to caring for the sick, adopting a discarded animal or befriending the underdog. I was born to help and I will no longer apologize for my emotional self. May God richly bless all you who suffer, you are not alone. There are truly those who understand and deeply care. If you step into my path, I will care for you.
Thank you for the ways mercy needs to be part of our everyday life in all situations for all of the responses. Each one so important in our interactions with others and with ourselves.
These messages are such gems in applying mercy in concrete ways
Too often absent in my own life also! Albeit, at these times of personal failure I may be learning that these are the times I may also have to show mercy too myself.
Everyday we have situations where our mercy towards others is called for….in big ways and small ways. Sometimes it is easy to show mercy and sometimes it is hard. But when I am struggling to forgive, understand, love, and show kindness to someone, I think of how much God has forgiven my shortcomings….and then it becomes much easier to do the same to others.
Vinita, Thank you for you thoughtful reflections. I sure needed this one having committed myself to being more merciful in anticipation of my 70th birthday. It’s a great boost to my flagging spirit.
Thank you very much for this article, I will strive harder to be a merciful person.
Thank you Vinita for your thought provoking article. Very timely for me.
I am daily asking for Our Lord Jesus to act in me as I struggle to care for an elderly close relative who has dementia.So often it feels like a painful duty as there is a background of childhood trauma. Nonetheless there are times when I feel a tenderness because of his vulnerability and see his diminishing self, and the poignancy of this helps me through. I believe that this is God’s grace helping me to show mercy. And also, when i find I’m ready to burst with frustration and impatience and start beating myself up about how I handled things, I now understand that God in His infinite mercy understands and forgives my humanness. That encourages me not to give up and so I can be grateful for being forgiven and respond by trying to be my best most loving and merciful self.As Mother Julian said ‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, And all manner of things shall be well’
This is just the message I needed to hear today .Thanks so much on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day.
When I need to work with others, especially in situations that are challenging, I pray for the help of the Holy Spirit and St Peter Faber. St. Peter Faber was noted for his prudent and kind ways in dealing with with almost everyone and in every situation. Next, I ask myself, how would I like to hear this message? Next, I reflect on how best to present the message or respond to the situation? Over time, I have found a little kindness goes a long way.
I identify myself with you, I also invoke the Holy Spirit cos without it it is impossible to deal with certain folks and like to I put it just as I would like to hear it said to me, and right you are, a little kindness goes a long way.
I encourage all to delve into Julian of Norwich’s “Revelations of Divine Love.”
Pat.
North East England.
Are you able to recommend an “easy read” interpretation please ?
Thanks
Hi Paul
I was given a beautiful little book called ‘Enfolded In Love Daily Readings with Julian of Norwich’ Edited by Robert Llewelyn Pub Carton.Longman +Todd ISBN 0-232-52550-1
It is a pocket size which gives a very brief introduction of her life and then follows a short daily reflection taken from a translation of her ‘shewings’ It’s very simply written and uplifting.
I hope you can find a copy and be enfolded in love. Blessings to you x
That should say Darton, not Carton ☺
Thanks Peggy
It is to my advantage and instruction to imitate Him who first showed me mercy. Today, Thanksgiving Day, is a special day to be grateful for Divine Mercy, I am thankful.
I started adding political leaders to my prayer list when I found myself angry at them. Praying daily has helped me to stop assuming the worst when they are in the news and to see ways in which their statements and behavior make sense. I would still like to see most of them replaced in another election cycle, but now I am dealing with people and not caricatures.
Thank you Tom for sharing that kernel of wisdom AND mercy. Yours truly shares at the very least a similar ongoing annoyance at their apparently flagrant dishonesty. Two things I try to tell myself when I get to that point: 1) There but for the Grace of God go I! and 2) In the situations in which they appear to be giving public scandal, they have probably become so humanly defensive about their behavior as to have ceased being objective about the facts of their conduct. At least that’s my take. Praying for them is, I think quite biblical. Saint Paul urged no less, under Emperor Nero, no less, as a faithful Roman Citizen. I believe he could and can teach US a great deal about faithful citizenship in these United States. I honestly don’t think we’ve got any office-holders any worse today than Nero was then. Comments?