Thoughts on mercy

 

Infinite Mercy

From: The Road to Peace

To relearn what praying for the world means, we have to realize that the burden of the world has become a light burden because of Jesus. When God saw how humanity's sin made the world an unbearable burden – a burden of painful birth and hard labor, competition and rivalry, anger and resentment, violence and war, sickness and death – God showed us infinite mercy in sending Jesus, not to take our burden away but to transform it. Jesus gathered up the human suffering of all times and places. He destroyed its fatal power by offering it to God through his voluntary death on the cross. Thus Jesus made an unbearable burden bearable. We now have a companion who has tasted the agony of humanity more fully and deeply than any other person in history.

Reflection Question: How does reflecting on Jesus gathering up human suffering of all time transform the burdens on your heart and mind?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5: 8

Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was a priest, professor, and spiritual writer. He authored over 40 books on the spiritual life and spent his final years at L'Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing from his own journey of vulnerability and faith, he invites seekers into deeper intimacy with God, themselves, and others.

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