Lord Have Mercy

Advent Day 6

First Friday in Advent

December 2, 2011

Reading: Matthew 9:27–31

²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” ²⁸ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” ³¹ But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

Theme: Mercy

Reflection:

How many times in our lives do we cry out to God for mercy? Sometimes, frankly, it is for stuff, that in the scheme of things, is not very serious. Maybe someone in front of us in traffic does something we consider stupid, and we cry out something like “God have mercy”. Or perhaps you have pulled a hot pan out of the oven, catching your bare arm on the edge of the oven. “Lord have mercy,” you mutter.

But then there are the times something really serious happens, a terrible diagnosis at the doctor, a tragic accident or a friend who is in deep trouble, and then you plaintively cry “Lord have mercy”, while clasping your hands in prayer. Or perhaps, sitting in church, after a week of one disaster after another, the liturgical Kyrie, with its “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy”, really hits home. Or maybe you hear these words “Lord have mercy” spoken with you, as you sit grieving a loved one.

The blind men in this text from Matthew cry “Lord have mercy” and truly believe that Christ, whom they consider Lord, will have mercy on them and in some way relieve their suffering. Jesus even questions their faith, and they are able to respond “Yes, Lord”, affirming their belief in Jesus’ power to positively affect their lives.

Each time you cry out “Lord have mercy”, either as part of a lament of your personal situation, or as part of our collective liturgical ritual, what would happen if Jesus were to ask you “Do you believe that I am able to help you”? Would you be able to respond ‘Yes, Lord, I believe in your power’?

In this Advent season, as we watch and wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, remember that we are also watching and waiting to experience the power of Christ in our own lives.

Prayer:

All powerful and loving Lord, help us when we cry out to you “Lord have mercy” to have the faith to truly believe that you come into our lives, and to help us to trust in your mercy and loving kindness. In this Advent season, may we experience the power of Christ in our lives. In your son’s name we trust and pray, Amen.

Lent Day 12: March 22

This morning we welcome guest blogger Ed Olney who shares his thoughts on the meaning of mercy and how we can show mercy.

Lenten Reflection for Day 12

Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Author: Ed Olney

Bible Passage: Matthew 5:7 (NRSV)

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."

Reflection:

While it is generally true, what you give, you get back, biblically this passage has even deeper meaning. In the Old Testament the meaning of mercy comes from Hebrew word for steadfast, dependable love. Very often it is used in connection with the covenant that God established with Israel, a gift and a grace for Israel. It is a love that gives, a love more powerful than betrayal, grace stronger than sin.

When we sing "Kyrie Eleison and Christe Eleison," we are praying that the merciful love of God will be poured out upon God's children. Jesus showed mercy to the world when he died on the cross and renounced his dignity to save us from our sins. We can also show mercy by the giving of ourselves to others when we give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothes to those without any, shelter to the homeless, and even bringing the Good News of Christ to the lost. All these are acts of merciful love - love stooping down to lift people out of their physical and spiritual miseries.

Think of someone who needs to experience mercy. Pray for them in their need. Ask God what you might do to show them mercy.

Prayer:

Lord, may your infinite mercy to me enable me to be truly merciful to all others. Amen