V. Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown to them (Mt 5:7)
December 22, 2006
St. Thomas Aquinas, the great medieval philosopher and theologian, tells us that mercy, or compassion, is the virtue which should be exercised by those in authority since it is most characteristic of God, the supreme authority.
In saying this St. Thomas has echoed Our Lord, who has told us clearly: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate” (Lk 6:36). In fact, Christ has told us that our compassion must extend even to our enemies, since they are also God’s children whom he loves and for whom his Son died. He has also warned us in the parable of the unforgiving debtor of the punishment we can expect if we do not show compassion to others in their need.
But why are the merciful and compassionate “blessed?” After all, in taking on the burdens of others they increase their own and make their own life more difficult, not easier.
When borne in faith, however, the burdens of our neighbors that we take upon ourselves become the burdens of Christ himself. He gives us the strength to carry them so we find these burdens light. In fact we carry them with enthusiasm and joy that are fruits of His Spirit.
But there is another reason why the compassionate are blessed. Christ has told us, “I stand at the gate and knock” (Rv 3:19). God can take possession of our hearts only to the degree that we make room for him. (The more self-indulgent and selfish we are, the more we are closed in upon ourselves.) The more we are preoccupied with ourselves, the less room there is for God in our hearts.
When we are merciful and compassionate, however, we break out of our self-centeredness. The seed, which is encased in its hard shell all winter, is softened by the spring rain and the warm sunshine and begins to grow. Similarly, God’s grace breaks open our hearts and we reach out in love and compassion to those around us. We open up our hearts to them. We give them a helping hand. We forget ourselves, take on the burdens of others, give up our selfish attitudes and find ourselves enriched by the love and joy and peace that God pours into our hearts and by the love and gratitude that we often receive from those we help.
What we give away in love always comes back into our own lives, for God is never outdone in generosity. Did not Christ tell us: “ Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.” (Lk 6:38) He always gives according to our capacity to receive. Selfless love and compassion for others increases our capacity to receive more blessings from the Lord. That is why the merciful are blessed. They will have mercy shown to them because they have opened their hearts to receive it.
TOP OF PAGE
