Hi all…
My name is Jo, and I’ll be attending your Association as a guest next month (can’t wait!). I love Pam’s invitation to share ideas on the blog…..so I thought I’d just toss this out there for your consideration…
Here’s some background:
When I read the weekly Bible Lesson, I am always on the lookout for 2 things (in addition to whatever other inspiration may come):
*Some further definition or understanding of what God is – you know, in a daily, practical, tangible way
*What instruction is offered – there is always instruction – we must…, we should…etc
So….when I encountered this citation in the Responsive Reading last week, I recognized it right away as good direction.
“He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6: 8
The As I started to dig in a little, I realized that the 2nd one – Love Mercy – wasn’t coming so clearly to me. What does “love mercy” mean to you? How does it translate into everyday experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Many thanks. See you in August!
Me again. Maybe the direction is to recognize and cherish manifestations of God’s mercy…?
Maybe I am to love being merciful. Surely, if I love a thing, I will strive for it…or look for ways to express it.
I’m stumped…no ah-ha moment here. What am I missing?
In The New Birth (Misc Writings, MBE), on page 18 in the 2nd paragraph, Mrs. Eddy is further explaining the first commandment, and she begins, “Thou shalt love Spirit only…”
So to my question of what it means to love mercy…would you agree that we are to recognize mercy? Cherish mercy? Perhaps manifest and demonstrate mercy…?
Below is a blog post that responds to Jo’s question on Mercy.
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Thoughts on Mercy
I know a wise spiritual teacher who is fond of saying: “My God is not just. My God is merciful.”
From Jennifer!
To me that statement means that God is loving and forgiving, and that God does not necessarily examine whether we are “deserving” or not.
Perhaps justice implies fairness and mercy implies loving compassion.
Thank you Jo for your post – look forward to seeing you soon!
Hey Jennifer…!! I love the clarity you add between fairness and mercy….very helpful. So, you make me think that perhaps (the direction for us to “love mercy”) includes acknowledging and cherishing God’s mercy towatds us. I love that.
Thanks, Jennifer!!! Can’t wait to meet you, too!