Blessed Are The Merciful

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL

a prayer to open

Give me eyes to see, Lord—

to see your Kingdom, your heart, your love. Give me eyes to see.

Our world prefers judgment to mercy. It’s easier and more natural for most of us. This is especially true in our day of anonymous (or not-so-anonymous) comments online. Consider how often social media posts are dominated by words of judgment and cries for punishment as opposed to calls for mercy and compassion. In fact, those who grant mercy are often condemned as weak, naive, or somehow opposed to justice. But the merciful—those who respond with compassionate action—will be the ones to whom God will show mercy. Think of the way Jesus called out to Zacchaeus, the hated tax collector who climbed a sycamore-fig tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus teaching (see Luke 19:1-10). Jesus knew about all the ways Zacchaeus had cheated and stolen from his own people, yet Jesus didn’t try to keep his distance; he moved toward Zacchaeus with compassion, seeing beyond his sin. The Gospels are filled with similar accounts of Jesus extending mercy toward sinners instead of judgment. The merciful will be shown mercy.

• In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were universally recognized as sinners. Who are the universally recognized sinners of our day? Reflect on what’s in your heart about this group of people. How do you speak of them, think about them, treat them? With judgment or mercy? Some combination? What would compassionate action toward those people look like?
• Read Matthew 18:21-35, the parable of the unmerciful servant. Prayerfully consider where you see yourself in the story: as the king, as the servant who owed the debt to the king, as the fellow servant, or as an observer. What next step might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to take?
• Reflect on whether there is someone from whom you are withholding mercy, seeing only their sin or offense. What good do you see or have you seen in that person? What would a generous extension of mercy toward them look like?

Father, thank you for your mercy. Thank you that you look at me not through a lens of judgment but through one of mercy. I am so quick to judge and identify the faults and shortcomings of others. Thank you that your eyes see what I can become by your grace and guidance. Examine my heart, Lord, and show me where I am stingy with mercy, lacking in grace, and refusing to love. Break through whatever it is that allows me to receive your mercy and love so greedily yet refuse to give it as generously. Please provide me an opportunity today to be merciful, and help me know your will and follow it. Amen.