Mercy — as Christ has presented it in the parable of the prodigal son — has the interior form of the love that in the New Testament is called agape. This love is able to reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every form of moral misery, to sin. When this happens, the person who is the object of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and “restored to value” (Dives in Misericordia, 6).
When we experience God’s mercy, we are able to show it to our neighbors. However, true mercy exceeds our human capabilities, therefore it is always a participation in the mercy of our Lord. It is important that, by opening our hearts to the experience of God’s mercy, we allow His mercy to pass through us to our brothers and sisters. Authentic mercy can be recognized by the fact that the person gifted with mercy, does not feel humiliated, but rather rediscovered and “restored to value”.
In your deeds of mercy, do you place yourself in a “higher” position because you are the one bestowing mercy on others?
Are you paying attention to the manner in which you show mercy?
Are you cultivating in yourself a sensitivity of mercy so that you give to your neighbor in such a way that they do not feel uncomfortable or embarrassed?
“Today I carelessly asked two poor children who came up to the gate if they really had nothing to eat at home. They didn’t say anything in reply but just went away. I realised how difficult it was for them to talk about their poverty, so I quickly went after them, brought them back, and gave them what I could and what I had permission to give” (Diary 1297).
“My daughter, I want your heart to be the abode of My mercy. I want that mercy to be poured out on the whole world through your heart” (Diary 1777).
