Mercy, lenient or compassionate treatment, appears to have vanished in America. The political discourse has turned to violence and intolerance. Fewer people appear to be taking “And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us” seriously.

MERCY FOUR HUNDRED YEARS AGO

Mercy is not a new topic. My 11^th great-grand uncle knew about mercy.  He wrote the following:

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
‘T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown:
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence ‘gainst the merchant there.

The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I [The quality of mercy is not strained] William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616

 MERCY TODAY

I was fortunate to hear Mary Gauthier sing “Mercy Now” in person on a small stage. The words have stayed with me.

Mercy Now by Mary Gauthier

My father could use a little mercy now
The fruits of his labor
Fall and rot slowly on the ground
His work is almost over
It won’t be long and he won’t be around
I love my father, and he could use some mercy now

My brother could use a little mercy now
He’s a stranger to freedom
He’s shackled to his fears and doubts
The pain that he lives in is
Almost more than living will allow
I love my brother, and he could use some mercy now

My Church and my Country could use a little mercy now
As they sink into a poisoned pit
That’s going to take forever to climb out
They carry the weight of the faithful
Who follow ‘em down
I love my Church and Country and they could use some mercy now

Every living thing could use a little mercy now
Only the hand of grace can end the race
Towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, well
They’ll do anything to keep their crown
I love life, and life itself could use some mercy now

Yea, we all could use a little mercy now
I know we don’t deserve it
But we need it anyhow
We hang in the balance
Dangle ‘tween hell and hallowed ground
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now

HOW TO SHOW MERCY

Google’s AI Overview had some practical suggestions on how to show mercy:

Attitudes and Interactions

• Practice patience and kindness: Show patience with people’s quirks and be kind, even if you don’t agree with them.
• Withhold judgment: Understand others’ struggles and difficulties without being judgmental.
• Be a compassionate presence: Be mindful and present for others, even when you’re busy, and listen to those who are suffering.

Emotional and Verbal Responses

• Offer forgiveness: Write letters of forgiveness, allow someone to help you, or admit when you were wrong and ask for forgiveness.
• Resist negative speech: Avoid sarcasm and foul language.
• Extend mercy to offenders: Do good to those who have wronged you and avoid holding grudges.

LAST THOUGHTS ON MERCY

I invite you to join me on my journey to become more merciful.

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