Of Mercy and being merciful

The readings today teaches us about mercy. The first reading, psalm and the gospel shows us what God wants us to realize and do when it comes to mercy.

In the first reading, we can see that the people are asking for God’s mercy. They know that they have sinned and did not do what God wanted them to do. This is what God wants from us – humility to accept and recognize our sins which brings about asking for God’s mercy. No matter what we do, we all sin, and in one way or another do what we want, not what God wants. That is why God wants us to be humble and sorry enough and ask forgiveness to Him.

The psalm echoes our prayer. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins. In the movie flywheel, Jay, the used car salesman, was not a very honest one. When the pastor bought from him, the pastor was so happy, thinking he had a good deal, so he said a prayer. Lord, I ask that you treat Jay just like he treated me today in this deal. It got Jay thinking, because he knew he did not treat the pastor fairly. If God would treat us the way we are treating him, if his blessings would be proportional to our love and service of him, then we would be in trouble. As we acknowledge our sins, we ask that God be merciful and not treat us based on our sins.

We know and we should claim in faith that God is merciful. However, the gospel reminds us to do our part as well. Jesus said “Be merciful, just as your father is merciful” God is willing and ready to forgive us, but we should also do our part. We should also forgive others who have sinned against and hurt us. “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” God is asking something from us as well.

Am I humble enough to admit that I sin? Am I truly repentant for those sins? Am I ready and willing to forgive others who have hurt me, even if they have not asked forgiveness? IF not, am I praying that God help me be forgiving, just as he is forgiving?

May we always remember that we should be truly sorry for our sins, and that as we ask for God’s forgiveness, we too should be forgiving to others, no matter what.