The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Shakespeare – The Merchant of Venice
We live in a culture where unforgiveness is a big social problem – broken relationships, broken families, violence etc.
The challenge of living counter-culturally means understanding that mercy and forgiveness are freely given with nothing sought in return. Life is unfair. Forgiveness is the only solution.
It is hard to practice mercy. It does not neccessarily mean we condone the action, or forget it, or expect things to return to normal. However, resentment no longer defines us.
We should practice mercy in our everyday lives by doing the unexpected:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;If he is thirsty, give him something to drink…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’
Romans 12
Posted on September 16, 2009
