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Wonderful post, Aaron. Thank you!
I agree that this is a beautiful post.
My concern is how one can determine where the dividing line is between someone who is merely lost and someone who is relentlessly cruel (egregiously so); and what does one do when confronted by the latter?
In my (Jewish) tradition, we are taught that those who are kind to the cruel can all too easily end up being cruel to the kind.
Mercy is an offer addressing moral debt. In civil justice and informal human pursuit of justice, that mercy needn’t coincide with abrogation of punishment and assurances of civil protection.
A murderer can be both forgiven and imprisoned, thereby serving the necessary penalty and yet maintaining social bonds that still recognize him as loved and capable of amends which, though they cannot erase the consequences of his crime, might reintegrate him into the community.
We Christians say that God is always with us, even while we sin. He is the pursuer. We can only respond. He ceaselessly calls to us and knocks upon our hearts. We often ignore Him. When are ready to answer, He is immediately there with open arms.
That is how we should offer mercy. It will often be refused. We are called to justice as well and must respond to evils in ways to establish justice on earth. But we should hope and strive for total reconciliation, not only containment of evil men. Ultimately, it is for God to soften their hearts. But as willing instruments of His love we must embody that invitation.
Most thoroughly cruel and wicked people will remain hateful. But to play a part in the Lord’s reunion with even one immortal soul is an opportunity only rivaled by the birth and rearing of a child.
#3 Aaron Miller
Well said — and thanks!
I’m late to this. I’ve been away. I forgive all. I hold no grudges. Thank you Aaron. And that is the proper painting of the Divine Mercy, not that awful one that is more common.