I am going to quote from Father John Hardon again; he is just so theological practical. (I quoted from him in yesterday’s post on Bible Quotes on Gentleness.) I’m going to use pieces of his definition of “mercy” as we continue our 31 Days of Bible Quotes. Today we’re studying, although briefly, mercy in the Bible. Fr. Hardon is quotes as saying, “Mercy is meeting people’s needs; it is also meeting people’s subjective wants.” He also states, “Mercy is love shown not only to those in need or love shown not only to those who are in want, but mercy is love shown to those who are not lovable.”
Bible Quotes: Mercy in the Bible
First, here’s the good news…God doesn’t run out of mercy. The scriptures even say they are new every morning, so we don’t even get the leftovers. But, there is a catch, if you want to call it that. If we want to be on the receiving end of mercy…we have to be first, on the giving end of mercy. And do not be confused, this does not even enter into a “faith verse works” discussion, no, this is mercy that man shows to others, due to the mercy first bestowed on him by God.
So according to Fr. Hardon’s definition, we have to meet other’s needs and subjective wants to have our needs or wants met. And by the way, to illustrate a subjective want, he uses the wedding at Cana as the example. The wedding party wasn’t out of water; the guests weren’t going to shrivel up and die for lack of water. They were out of wine. And our Lady asked Her Son Jesus Christ to meet their want, not necessarily their need. Also according to Fr. Hardon’s definition, we have to love the unlovable. This of course is because, and this might surprise you…we are sometimes unlovable.
When our Lord preached the Beatitudes, He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” So, mercy is something we give? No, I think mercy is who we are or at least should strive to be. I say this because our Lord did not say, “Blessed are those who act merciful.” No, He said, “Blessed are the merciful.” So it is part of our character…or should be.
So how do we cultivate the virtue of mercy? I think we first recognize God’s mercy. And how do we do that? Gratitude. Fr. Hardon stated mercy is meeting someone’s needs and wants; if I am ungrateful…looking to get my due, I will not notice the needs and wants of others will I?
Saint Thomas Aquinas states, “Mercy is heartfelt sympathy for another’s distress*” So, a merciful person is an unselfish person. A merciful person is an observant person. A merciful person is a giving person. A merciful person is a sympathetic person.
Finally, a quote from then-Cardinal Ratzinger, “The more deeply stirred we are by the Lord’s mercy, the greater the solidarity we feel with his suffering—and we become willing to complete in our own flesh ‘what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ’ (Col 1: 24)*. So, a merciful person is willing to suffer for love of another because of Christ’s love for us all.
I compiled a list of Bible quotes on mercy in a free printable Word document for you. Click the link to download, print and tuck it into your Bible.
Mercy Resources
Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion
Bible Quotes Resources
My large print Bible
(This is my go-to Bible. It’s large print and just feels nice in my hands.)
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament
(I use this Bible when I’m looking for some more information about the text.)
The Catholic Bible Concordance for the Revised Standard Version
(You want to know where a word is in the Bible? This is the book for you!)
The Great Commentary of Cornelius A’ Lapide
(I use this commentary for more information as well.)
A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture
(I like this commentary because it also has reflections and applications.)
*Cited from an article by Veronica Arntz
Mrs. Deena Barca says
Jenny,
Thank you so much for putting this together!! As you know, a bible writing plan for Catholic’s was desperately needed. I am so grateful that you were able to meet this need of mine!
You are a blessing, truly.
Deena B.
Jenny says
You are very welcome! Thanks for being the nudge I needed ♥
Scott says
Loving this series. The link for your Mercy download is broken.
Jenny says
Thanks and Thanks…I just fixed the broken link.
LaSaunia says
I still can’t download any of the quotes.
Jenny says
Oh man! What device are you using? Send me an email and I’ll get them to you.
Cristina @Handmaid Embroidery says
Love the unloveable, indeed. When I read those words I thought, “for the win!!!”. So true and interesting that I’ve started praying for those people in my life who are truly unloveable.
Jenny says
I just listened to ta talk recently by Fr Chad Ripperger on Guardian Angels. He mentioned a great Lenten practice is to ask your Guardian Angel to humiliate you interiorly. He said you will be amazed by this practice; you’ll start seeing yourself and your defects as you really are. So in conversation, you’ll recognize your sin and vice. At first I thought “No Way!” I don’t want to see how “bad” I am, but then I realized, I think I would also become more aware of God’s immense and unconditional love for me. That in turn will make me more merciful to others.
Michelle says
Such wise and practical insights. I think we should not be afraid of suffering really ~ even the ones we are guilty of creating by way of weakness. It’s because I have suffered that I am more able to enter into real heartfelt compassion for others.
Gratitude and humility turn serving others into more of an honor and less of a burden. And in serving others, we find joy; it really is key.
Jenny says
I know the fruit suffering has born in my life, but it still scares me.
Abbey @ Surviving Our Blessings says
The verse from Lamentations is one of my very favorites. Great series idea!
Jenny says
Thanks Abbey. Blessings to you!