I read about the saints each day – although my reading is brief, just a few minutes.  What inspires me to read each day about their lives is that they are examples of struggle.  They turned their lives toward God and it led them to extraordinary devotion.  The come from all walks of life and vocations (priests, consecrated, married, single life).  For each saint, it seems that extraordinary devotion develops over time and through prayer.

There are many benefits to prayer.  I want to focus today on mercy because my ability to be merciful depends on the amount of time I spend in prayer.

In the Gospel reading from Mark, Chapter 3 Jesus is well into his ministry of mercy and healing.  In fact so many people were coming that:

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.

When he cured many, Jesus showed mercy because of his great love for us.

So love can provide a source for mercy.  I also think that prayer is a source for love.  So the more I pray, the more I nourish my spirit and the more peace I enjoy.  With an enriched spirit and a peaceful outlook, I can reflect the love that Jesus has for all of us to those in my world.

The Works of Mercy - David Teniers (1640s)

In addition to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, there are other ways I can show mercy:

• Patience – Understand that I am learning and growing according to God’s plan for my life.  God has a plan for everyone else too so I can remember to be patient and even gentle when I think I have The Answer to another’s life.
• Acceptance – Do I accept my station in life without excess or vainglory?  Do I accept when God’s plan for my life is not the same as I what I wanted?  Do I accept that traffic is snarled and there’s nothing I can do to change it?
• Physical – How often do I hug and kiss my loved ones?  Once a day?  Once a week?  Never?  Physical affection like a hug is a tactile display of love and in certain situations shows mercy.

In healing the infirm, Jesus showed acts of mercy well beyond our everyday ability.  I pray to remember that I am called to be a source of mercy for those around me – whether they are family, strangers, loved ones, friends or colleagues.

It has been a while since I mentioned baby Sly who was run over by an 18-wheeler.  His mom continues to blog although she was asked by authorities not to divulge facts because there is a pending criminal case.

How do you show mercy?

†

You might also enjoy:

I am angry! Why should I show mercy?

9 ways to ascend the mountain

Renew yourself with prayer

What is the intent of your worship?

Today we remember Saint Fillan

Related articles

• Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy (newadvent.org)
• Divine Mercy…Daily Excerpts from Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (k2globalcommunicationsllc.wordpress.com)
• The Divine Mercy and ‘A Mother’s Plea’ By Matt C. Abbott (deaconjohnspace.wordpress.com)
• Life too mirthful . . . (liveloveandpray.wordpress.com)
• For Gail Wehmann, Karen Boden, Timothy Rehm, Cornwall Central Schools and All Public School Instructors and Administrators Pray The Divine Mercy (k2globalcommunicationsllc.wordpress.com)

Tagged: Catholic, Christianity, faith, mercy, postaday2011, Protestant, religion