“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matt. 5:7)
In our examination of today’s verse, we see that one of our duties as Christians is to develop and show compassion and forgiveness. Practising mercy does not necessarily mean showing pity but giving a heartfelt response to the suffering or wrongdoing of others, leading to real action. The merciful are those who forgive offences, assist the needy, and respond with charity, reflecting the love of God. As disciples of Jesus, we are to embody His own example, who showed mercy even to His enemies and sinners. True mercy requires a humility that recognises one’s own need for the Lord’s forgiveness, and thus extends that same mercy to others.
Christ promises that those who show mercy will, in turn, receive mercy. This is a direct reflection of the principle that we will be judged as we judge others. (cf. Matt. 7:1-5) By being merciful, we open ourselves to God’s mercy. It is an act of trust in God’s justice, knowing that by forgiving others and being compassionate, we are assured of the Lord’s forgiveness and compassion toward us. The teaching from this verse not only has eternal implications—where the merciful will receive mercy at the Last Judgment—but also brings peace and healing in this life, as mercy fosters reconciliation and love.
Unfortunately, in the modern world and even in some areas of the nominal Christian church, the teaching of mercy is often neglected or misinterpreted. Instead of preaching the fullness of mercy, which includes both forgiveness and the call to repentance, some have diluted it into mere tolerance of sin. True mercy does not ignore wrongdoing but seeks to lead souls back to Yahweh through correction, forgiveness, and healing. When the faithful are not taught the true nature of mercy, they are deprived of one of the most important means by which they can obtain God’s mercy for themselves. Thus, this Beatitude is not only a call to personal action but also a reminder of the gravity of teaching and practising authentic Christian mercy.
