The Nature of Mercy

Let those who have no sin cast the first stone. I know the law is the law and standards of conduct are established to protect the innocent and preserve order, but we are also given a standard to forgive which comes from the highest authority. My hope is that people choose to serve others over the temptation to serve themselves. Lapses in judgment occur just as surely as acts of kindness. Who can weigh the good and bad and judge by how many good deeds are outweighed by one bad? We are not brought up in the Christian faith to keep a balance sheet of our offenses, but to do good deeds and forgive when the situation arises.



A disciple asked Jesus: "Lord, how many times are we to forgive." And his answer was: "Seventy times seven." How else are we to interpret the meaning if we are not prepared to practice what we believe? I know that in reality the law often times is prepared to make an example of those who have chosen a higher calling and fail in some manner, but then I hope prayer counts for something as well and that redemption prevails over punishment when the situation allows for it. I also know that some offenses are not to be tolerated, but humanity has been given the capacity to distinguish the gray areas that often time come about. Zero tolerance policies and an unflinching judicial system that is void of compassion ultimately brings tyranny to the ranks of freedom loving societies. My hope is that love prevails and that second chances are offered as a form of redeeming grace. To follow in our Father’s footsteps through his son Jesus is after all the ultimate act of discipleship.



Go in peace my friends and do not forget to utilize the gifts of the spirit each day of your lives. As Wordsworth noted in his poem Expostulation and Reply:


"The eye—it cannot choose but see;

We cannot bid the ear be still;

Our bodies feel, where'er they be,

Against or with our will.

"Nor less I deem that there are Powers

Which of themselves our minds impress;

That we can feed this mind of ours

In a wise passiveness.


"Think you, 'mid all this mighty sum

Of things for ever speaking,

That nothing of itself will come,

But we must still be seeking?


"—Then ask not wherefore, here, alone,

Conversing as I may,

I sit upon this old grey stone,

And dream my time away,"

And so we learn that not all can be learned in books such as the law provides, but that our better nature speaks to us and let not harsh judgment rid us of our Christian legacy.