Mercy goes further.
It means sorrowful at heart.
Mercy moves us to do what we can do to help the other.
Sharing a reflection by Don Schwager on Luke 17:11-19 which I found so enlightening....
Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
When the band of Jewish and Samaritan lepers saw Jesus they made a bold request.
They didn't ask for healing, but instead asked for mercy.
MERCY IS HEARTFELT SORROW AT ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNE
The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart".
But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another's misery and misfortune.
Compassion empathizes with the sufferer. But mercy goes further - it removes suffering.
A merciful person shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were his or her own.
And such a person will do everything in his or her power to dispel that misery.
MERCY IS CONNECTED TO JUSTICE
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) said that mercy "does not destroy justice, but is a certain kind of fulfillment of justice."
Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution; (and) justice without mercy is cruelty."
Mercy moves us to do what we can do to help the other.
Mercy seeks to remedy the weakness of others, and where sin is involved to lead others to recognize their need for repentance and turning away from wrongdoing.
Pardon without repentance negates justice.
GOD'S MERCY BRINGS HEALING OF MIND, HEART AND BODY
So what is the significance of these ten lepers asking Jesus to show them mercy?
They know they are in need of healing, not just physical, but spiritual healing as well.
They approach Jesus with faith and with sorrow for their sins because they believe that he can release the burden of their guilt and suffering and restore both soul and body.
Their request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from suffering.
Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and contrition (true sorrow for sin).
Why did only one leper out of ten return to show gratitude?
GRATEFULNESS
Gratefulness expresses gratitude of heart and a thankful disposition.
Gratefulness is related to grace. Grace means the release of loveliness.
Gratitude is the homage of the heart which responds with graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving.
The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave praise to God.
Ingratitude leads to lack of love and kindness, and intolerance towards others.
If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy and help shown to us, we will be ungrateful and unkind towards others.
Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received.
Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others, as well as to other vices, such as complaining, grumbling, discontentment, pride, and presumption.
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