Mercy
Mercy (Middle English, from Anglo-French merci, from Medieval Latin merced-, merces "price paid, wages", from Latin merc-, merxi "merchandise") is benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social, and legal contexts.
In the social and legal context, mercy may refer both to compassionate behavior on the part of those in power (e.g. mercy shown by a judge toward a convict), or on the part of a humanitarian third party (e.g., a mission of mercy aiming to treat war victims).[1]
Definition
"Mercy" can be defined as "compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power"; and also "a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion."[2] "To be at someone's mercy" indicates a person being "without defense against someone."[3]
Law and ethics
In a judicial context mercy is often termed "clemency". It is a sovereign prerogative that resides in the executive and is entirely discretionary.
Religions
The concept of a merciful God appears in various religions, including
Christianity
Hebrews 4:16 says, "So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." Grace and mercy are similar in that both are free gifts of God and both are dispensed absent any merit on the part of the recipient. Grace is the favor of God, a divine assistance. Grace is what one receives that one does not deserve while mercy is what one receives when one does not get what one deserves.[6]
An emphasis on mercy appears in the
Psalm 117 calls upon all nations to praise the Lord on account of his "merciful kindness". This is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:11 to show that God has now fulfilled this prophecy and promise through Jesus Christ, who has been merciful in giving his life as a sacrifice for his people, both Jew and gentile. 1 Peter 2:9–10 reads:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
This devotional element of mercy as part of the Christian tradition was echoed by
Roman Catholicism
In the encyclical Dives in misericordia ("Rich in Mercy") Pope John Paul II examined the role of mercy—both God's mercy, and also the need for human mercy.[13] He saw in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) "the essence of the divine mercy".[13] Having squandered his patrimony, justice would dictate that the prodigal should only expect to be received back as a hireling. The figure of the father is analogous to God as Father, who goes beyond the requirements of justice to welcome his son with compassion.
The
Mercy has also been an important subject of Christian iconography. Since the Middle Ages, many representations in art encouraged people to practice the works of mercy and, as the art historian Ralf van Bühren explains using the example of Caravaggio, helped "the audience to explore mercy in their own lives".[16]: 79–80
In the 20th century, there was new focus on mercy in the Roman Catholic Church, partly due to the
Pope John Paul II was a follower of the Divine Mercy devotion, due to Saint
A number of Roman Catholic
The first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was held in Rome in April 2008 and was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI.[9][22]
In 2015, at
Islam
In
Judaism
The Hebrew word for mercy is rachamim which is always in plural form so that it literally means "mercies". "Mercy includes showing kindness to those who don’t deserve it, and forgiving those that deserve punishment."[27]
Mercy is one of the defining characteristics of God. Exodus 34:6 says: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."[28] This is also emphasized in the context of the Babylonian exile in Isaiah: "For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.' Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." (Isaiah 49:13–15) Also: "It is good to pray and fast, to be merciful and just." (Tobit 12:8)
When David, because of his sin, was told to choose between a three-year famine, pursuit by his enemies for three months, or a three-day pestilence, he chose the pestilence saying, "Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful; but let me not fall by the hand of man." (2 Samuel 24:14) Psalm 103:8 praises God for his mercy.
Other religions and beliefs
Karuṇā (often translated as "compassion") is part of the beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Karuṇā is present in all schools of Buddhism and in Jainism it is viewed as one of the reflections of universal friendship.
The spiritual teacher
Quotes
- "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." ―better source needed]
- "For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy." ―better source needed]
- "You cannot conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God." ―better source needed]
- "'What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity." ―better source needed]
Literature
- In
The quality of mercy is not strain'd.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
- In O. Henry's A Retrieved Reformation, safecracker Jimmy Valentine betrays his identity and burglary skills in order to free a child accidentally trapped in a bank vault. A detective who has been pursuing him witnesses Valentine crack the safe. As Valentine subsequently surrenders, the detective pretends not to recognize him and walks away.[33]
See also
- Christian universalism – Christian belief that all will be reconciled to God
- Clementia – Roman goddess of clemency
- Mercy Corps – American humanitarian aid NGO founded 1979
- Thirteen Attributes of Mercy – Divine Attributes with which, according to Judaism, God governs the world
- Virgin of Mercy – Depiction of the Virgin Mary sheltering a group using her outspread cloak
- Works of Mercy– Meritorious works or acts in morals
References
- ISBN 0-8047-4474-2.
- "Benedict XVI Inaugurates 1st Mercy Conference". Zenit. April 2, 2008. Archived from the original on April 7, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- Wooden, Cindy (April 3, 2008). "Cardinal calls mercy a grace that points out sin, provides healing". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2011.