The Chapter of Mercy

Gospel: Luke 15

This entire chapter of the Gospel highlights the mercy of God in three examples: a shepherd who seeks for a lost sheep; a woman who seeks for a lost coin; and a father who seeks for his lost son.  In each instance Jesus has the main character do the exact opposite of what human beings would ordinarily do.  A shepherd would not seek one lost lamb at risk of the rest; a woman would likely write off a lost coin; and an insulted father would likely disown an ungrateful son.  

But God is not like us at all.  Jesus highlights God's mercy in an almost hyperbolic way, and in giving us three examples he again provides a superlative nature of God's mercy.  For the number three in Jewish culture and language represents the superlative, the highest of highlights.  So, in giving three examples of God's mercy in examples that go against every human instinct and example, Jesus provides this theme of mercy as the most important and core belief we have about God.

At the same time, this teaching about God's mercy challenges our own behaviors and attitudes.  To what extent are we willing to extend mercy to others in our life? To what extent are we willing as a society to create pathways of mercy, restoration, and transformation for others in society? This chapter on mercy is an invitation to us to become more merciful and loving to others in our world.