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For many of us, it is relatively easy to imagine God’s divine mercy, how much he loves us and is willing to forgive us.
Human mercy, on the other hand, is more difficult, especially when it comes to our own practice of mercy.
Divine and human mercy
St. Caesarius of Arles offers an insightful reflection on the relationship of divine and human mercy that is featured in the Office of Readings.
He begins his reflection pointing out our own hypocrisy in how we expect divine mercy, but refuse mercy to our neighbor:
How can a man ask for himself what he refuses to give to another? If he expects to receive any mercy in heaven, he should give mercy on earth. Do we all desire to receive mercy? Let us make mercy our patroness now, and she will free us in the world to come. Yes, there is mercy in heaven, but the road to it is paved by our merciful acts on earth. As Scripture says: Lord, your mercy is in heaven.
This can be a painful reflection for many of us, as being merciful to others is not always easy.
St. Caesarius continues his homily by further commenting on this relationship between human and divine mercy:
What kind of people are we? When God gives, we wish to receive, but when he begs, we refuse to give. Remember, it was Christ who said: I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. When the poor are starving, Christ too hungers. Do not neglect to improve the unhappy conditions of the poor, if you wish to ensure that your own sins be forgiven you. Christ hungers now, my brethren; it is he who deigns to hunger and thirst in the persons of the poor. And what he will return in heaven tomorrow is what he receives here on earth today.
As we go about our daily lives, may we strive to be more merciful, imitating the mercy we have received from God.
