Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Showing mercy to someone that we love can be challenging at times, but looking at evil with eyes of mercy can only be done with the grace of God. Today’s scripture readings show us how God is calling us to look upon others- even those whose actions are cruel and violent- with a judgment that flows from mercy.
In the gospel reading, Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by an unclean spirit. This spirit had cause the man much suffering physically as well as complete isolation from his family and friends. When the man approaches Jesus, the evil spirit cries out and asks, “Do not torment me!” Instead of immediately casting the spirit out, Jesus stops and asks the spirit his name. When the spirit further pleads with Jesus to not drive them away from the territory, Jesus allows the spirit in enter the herd of swine as the spirit had requested. Although “Legion” (as the spirit called himself) had been a source of conflict and terror for the man, Jesus still takes time to know him by asking his name and even listens to his pleas of mercy. Jesus’ response to Legion was one of compassion instead of instant judgment and condemnation.
In the reading from Samuel, David is marching away with his servants as his son Absalom takes over the kingdom. There is a man who is hurling both stones and insults at David as he retreats. Although his servants want to destroy this man because of his cruelty, David prevents them from doing so. He shows the man mercy. Because David had experienced the mercy of God for his wrongdoings, he is able to be merciful to this man even in the face of being injured or killed by this individual.
This kind of mercy in the face of evil is not easy, and yet I think God calls each of us towards this compassionate stance. Pope Francis says it well, “We have to put mercy before judgment… God’s judgment will always be in the light of God’s mercy.” This should be a cause of great joy and hope for each of us, since we all have done things that have separated us from God, so therefore we know firsthand God’s abundant mercy. But if we are disciples of Jesus, then we are called to live from this same point of mercy. When you hear or read the news, it is not difficult to find many people who do very evil things- killing children at a school, beheading innocent people, trying to exterminate people because of their religion- there would be a long list of the number of people who lives seem consumed with evil. I do not think that God is asking us to allow further killing of innocent people nor allow evil to go unchecked, but if we look at these individuals with the eye of God’s mercy, we see that they are his creation as well. They are sons, daughters, or may be fathers and mothers- they are part of our human family even though they act in completely inhuman ways. Before we condemn, we need to stop-and find out who they are (just as Jesus did with Legion.) Then it is no longer some unknown person that we judge and condemn. Maybe as we stop to know them, we come to find out about horrible things that they have endured. Judgment will need to be rendered, but allowing mercy to be the starting point gives each individual the respect they deserve- even when the crimes they commit are unspeakable. This framework of thinking can only happen through the grace of God, since our human instinct is oftentimes to immediately lash out with vengeance and hatred. Since we have received the forgiveness and mercy of God, may we allow that mercy to transform us, so we can share that same mercy to others- even in the face of great evil.
'Heavenly Father, you sent us Jesus to be your face of mercy. Pour your Spirit of mercy over us, so we may become your voice of mercy and compassion in this world of hatred and evil. May our lives light the darkness of this world and give you glory and praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
Marylynn Herchline