{"id":6300,"date":"2022-08-09T05:02:35","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T05:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/?p=6300"},"modified":"2022-08-09T05:53:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T05:53:20","slug":"the-mercy-of-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/the-mercy-of-god\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mercy of God"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Mercy of God <\/strong><\/p>\n

Pope Shenouda III<\/strong><\/p>\n

August 9, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Merc<\/strong>y is one of God’s qualities and the merciful one bears a His likeness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was said about God \u201cThe Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. \u00a0He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins. Nor punished us according to our iniquities. \u00a0For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy towards those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.\u201d <\/em>(Psalm 103:8-12)<\/p>\n

God’s wonderful mercy was manifested strongly and clearly on the cross.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There He took the sins of all\u00a0 human\u00a0 beings\u00a0 upon\u00a0 His shoulders and forgave them.\u00a0 \u00a0He is the merciful, good God, who does not take any pleasure in the death of the wicked. Rather, he is pleased when they turn from their ways and live. (Ezekiel 18:23)<\/p>\n

He is the God who pronounced the judgement of destruction on the Ninevites. When they repented and turned from their evil ways He had compassion on them and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened. (John 3:10) It is God who sometimes threatens, then becomes overcome by His compassion.<\/p>\n

In His mercy, God received the repentant people without insulting them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Chapter 15 of the Gospel of Saint Luke the Evangelist, He presented three stories about His acceptance of the repentant, the lost and the straying: The lost sheep, the lost son and the lost coin. He mentioned how God searched for them and how He rejoiced at their return without rebuking anyone.<\/p>\n

The Lord received Simon Peter in the same way after the resurrection. \u00a0He did not hurt his feelings or mention how Peter had denied Him by saying \u201cI don’t know the man.\u201d <\/em>but restored him to his apostolic rank and said to him \u201cFeed My lambs, take care of My sheep<\/em>.\u201d (John 21)<\/p>\n

I<\/strong>n His mercy, the Lord had compassion on the scattered people.<\/strong><\/p>\n

About this, the Holy Bible says \u201cBut when he saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they\u00a0\u00a0 were\u00a0\u00a0 weary\u00a0\u00a0 and\u00a0\u00a0 scattered, like\u00a0\u00a0 sheep\u00a0\u00a0 having\u00a0\u00a0 no shepherd.\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 9.36)<\/p>\n

Go<\/strong>d is merciful. \u00a0He helps those who are helpless.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is there any other mercy we can ascribe to God? \u00a0The person who takes care of such miserable people follows the example of the Lord. Because the Lord is merciful, He made mercy superior to adoration.\u00a0\u00a0 He said: \u201cFor I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.\u201d <\/em>(Hosea 6:6) In every place and at all times, people knew that God was merciful.<\/p>\n

When Nathan the prophet laid three options before David for him to choose from, David said: \u201cLet us fall in the hands of the Lord, for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men.\u201d <\/em>(2 Samuel 24:14) How strange this is!? \u00a0If we are in the hands of the all Holy, the perfect in His Holiness, in His Goodness and in His Righteousness, He will protect us and will not deal with us according to \u00a0our \u00a0sins \u00a0but \u00a0will \u00a0respond \u00a0to \u00a0us \u00a0when \u00a0we \u00a0say “According to Your mercy and not to our sins.” But if we fall into the hands of man, he will not sympathise with us, and although he resembles us in our sins and weaknesses, he would insult us at every turn.<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Importance Of Mercy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because mercy is so important, God made it a measure for condemnation in the final judgment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the last day, God will say to those on His left \u201cDepart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 25:41) Why did He give this sentence?\u00a0 \u00a0He says immediately after this \u201cFor I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no \u00a0drink, I was a stranger and you did not take\u00a0\u00a0 Me in, naked\u00a0\u00a0 and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.\u201d<\/em> Then, he explains the reason saying \u201cWhatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me<\/em>.\u201d (Matthew 25:42-45)<\/p>\n

Therefore<\/strong>, those people perished because they did not show mercy to the needy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This means that although you have your prayers, contemplations and hymns, if you are not merciful, you will find no mercy on the Last Day when you stand before God who will say \u201cI desire mercy, not sacrifice<\/em>.\u201d (Matthew 9:13) This is why the church teaches us to say in the third service of the midnight prayer: \u201cIn the final judgment, there will be no mercy to those who were not merciful ” But, “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 5:7).<\/p>\n

The Lord uses this measure when He deals with people, whether mercy with respect to worldly material matters such as hunger, thirst and illness, or with dealings, or spiritual affairs. In all cases He gave a final decision saying \u201cWith the same measure you use, it will be measured to you and to you who hear, more will be given.\u201d <\/em>(Mark 4:24). If you deal mercifully with people, God will do the same with you. \u00a0But if you deal with others cruelly, you will not deserve mercy. \u00a0Our Lord says \u201cFor with what judgement you judge , you will be judged.\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 7:2). This is why the Lord advises us saying \u201cTherefore whatever you want men to \u00a0do to you , do also to them<\/em>.\u201d(Matthew 7:12). If you wish to be treated mercifully, treat others mercifully.<\/p>\n

He who is merciful shows the Lord to others and mercy goes before him.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is why the Holy Bible says \u201cBlesse<\/em>d is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (Psalm 41:1) On the other hand He says \u201cWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, will also\u00a0 \u00a0cry himself and not be heard.\u201d <\/em>(Proverb 21:13)<\/p>\n

Your mercy on others precedes you and intercedes for you before God. If you show mercy to others, God will be merciful towards you.\u00a0\u00a0 But if you are harsh and fierce, do not protest if you receive the same treatment. As for forgiveness, the Lord said, \u201cCondemn not \u00a0and you shall \u00a0not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.<\/em>\u201d (Luke 6:37) In the same verse He also said \u201cDo not judge, and you will not be judged.\u201d <\/em>Then He\u00a0 said\u00a0 \u201cGive \u00a0and \u00a0it \u00a0will \u00a0be \u00a0given \u00a0to \u00a0you; \u00a0good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be put \u00a0into your bosom. For with the measure that \u00a0you use, it will be measured back to you.\u201d <\/em>(Luke 6:38)<\/p>\n

Concerning forgiveness, the Lord also said \u201cFor if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0But\u00a0 if\u00a0 you\u00a0 do\u00a0 not\u00a0 forgive\u00a0 men\u00a0 their\u00a0 trespasses,\u00a0 your Father will not forgive your trespasses<\/em>.\u201d (Matthew 6:14,15)<\/p>\n

H<\/strong>e who does not forgive keeps forgiveness away from himself.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even if he was forgiven in the past, it will be taken away from him.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On this subject, the Lord taught us the parable of the debtor (Matthew 18:23-35). To sum up the parable, there was a servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. \u00a0His master took pity on him and cancelled the debt. When\u00a0 the \u00a0servant \u00a0went \u00a0out, \u00a0he \u00a0found \u00a0one \u00a0of \u00a0his \u00a0fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.\u00a0 \u00a0He had no compassion on him, and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.<\/p>\n

When the master found out what had happened, he called the servant in and said, \u201cYou wicked servant,\u201d \u201cI forgave you all that debt because you begged me.\u00a0\u00a0 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?\u201d<\/em> In anger, his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he could pay back all he owed. The Lord concluded saying: \u201cSo\u00a0\u00a0 My heavenly Father also will do to \u00a0you. If each of \u00a0you, \u00a0from his heart does not \u00a0forgive his \u00a0brother his trespasses.\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 18:35)<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Grandeur Of Mercy And Its Signs:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because of mercy, the Lord preferred the Samaritan, a foreigner, to both the priest and the Levite:\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Perhaps the priest would excuse himself, saying that he had incense to raise or\u00a0\u00a0 a sacrifice to offer and had no time to take care of the traveler whom the robbers had wounded and left half dead! Perhaps the\u00a0 Levite\u00a0 would\u00a0 apologize,\u00a0 saying\u00a0 that\u00a0 he\u00a0 was serving in the house of God. Neither of their apologies not accepted, because God desires mercy not sacrifice (Matt 12:7). But the Lord praised the good Samaritan because \u201cAnd when he saw him, he had compassion on him; and went to him and bandaged his wounds… and took care of him.\u201d <\/em>(Luke 10:33- 34).\u00a0 He considered him to be the only one worthy of the title of \u201cneighbor\u201d because he showed mercy.<\/p>\n

Merc<\/strong>y is connected with people’s condemnation of each other.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are people who judge others harshly and cruelly. \u00a0This does not show mercy and may perhaps turn into a case of oppression. Such judgment of\u00a0 others\u00a0 may\u00a0 include\u00a0 insults\u00a0 and\u00a0 biting remarks without any consideration for the circumstances of others. It strictly concentrates on faults.\u00a0\u00a0 For example, Job’s friends reproached him without mercy till he said to them \u201cHow long will you torment my soul and break \u00a0me in pieces with words? These ten times you have reproached me.\u201d <\/em>(Job 19:1,2). \u201cI also could speak as you, if you were in my place.\u201d <\/em>(Job 16:4). \u201cHave pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me<\/em>.\u201d (Job 19:21).<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e merciful person forgives and excuses others. \u00a0He does not treat them with severity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instead of\u00a0 being\u00a0 hard\u00a0 in\u00a0 his\u00a0 reproach,\u00a0 he\u00a0 tries\u00a0 to\u00a0 find\u00a0 an excuse for them. \u00a0Jesus Christ’s behavior was the same. \u00a0When His disciples slept during the most critical time and could not stay awake for even an hour, He forgave them and said \u201cThe spirit indeed is willing, but the body is weak<\/em>.\u201d (Matthew 26:41) When He was on the cross, with all empathy, He made a plea for those who crucified Him saying, \u201cFather, forgive them for they do not know what they do<\/em>.\u201d(Luke 23:34).<\/p>\n

During the prayer for the departed, the church makes a plea on their behalf, saying \u201cAs they lived in this world in flesh.\u201d And also says \u201cBecause, there is no one who is free from sin, even if he spends only one day on earth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Saint Paul the apostle asked for mercy for the sake of his brothers who did not stand by him when he was arrested. \u00a0He said \u201cAt my first defence, no one stood with me, but all forsook me. \u00a0May it not be charged against them<\/em>.\u201d (2 Timothy 4:16)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Fo<\/strong>r these reasons, people love the father confessor who is characterized by mercy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They love the good hearted confession father who considers view the psychological state of the person who comes to him shyly and apprehensively. \u00a0He does not rebuke him severely, nor despise his failure. He does not shrink from what he hears him say, nor does he deal with him in a destructive manner, But rather he shows compassion, however great his fall may be. \u00a0He prays for him and asks God to give him power, repentance and forgiveness, because he is a compassionate father who knows the weakness of human nature and the strength of the devil who fights it.<\/p>\n

Saint Moses the Black was treated with the same kindness when he repented.<\/strong><\/p>\n

God prepared a very tolerant confession father, St. Isotheres the priest, for him; this man was compassionate towards sinners. This saint embraced him easily from the beginning and led him peacefully until he became a saint.<\/p>\n

One night, Moses the Black came to the saint ten times and the saint did not get worried. \u00a0He advised him to stay in his cell, but Moses answered that he was not able to because the war was very severe upon him. However, through the patience of his spiritual father,\u00a0 the\u00a0 war\u00a0 was\u00a0 taken\u00a0 away\u00a0 from\u00a0 him\u00a0 and Moses grew in spirit.<\/p>\n

A merciful heart has compassion upon sinners, no matter how great their fall may be<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He puts before his eyes the words of St. Paul the Apostle, \u201cRemember the prisoners as if chained with them, and those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are in the body also\u201d <\/em>(Hebrew 13:3).<\/p>\n

In his mercy, the Lord Jesus Christ had compassion upon the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. \u00a0He saved her from those who wanted to stone her and said, \u201cNeither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.<\/em>\u201d (John\u00a0\u00a0 8:11)\u00a0\u00a0 He also defended another sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears in the house of Simon the Pharisee. (Luke 7:44)<\/p>\n

A merciful heart also is not spiteful<\/strong>. \u00a0It does not repay evil for evil, but follows the Lord’s commandment “do good to those who hate you<\/em>” (Matthew 5:44). \u00a0If people hate you…do not be like them. If they treat you harshly, do not do the same.\u00a0 \u00a0Cruelty and vengeance do not agree with mercy.<\/p>\n

T<\/strong>o Whom Will God Show Mercy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We said that mercy is one of the qualities of God. \u00a0Who, then, will be worthy of His mercy?<\/p>\n

1.1. God shows mercy to those who ask for it with all their hearts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is why, we daily and continually ask God to have mercy on us.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I<\/strong>n the introductory prayer of each hour, we recite Psalm<\/strong> 51 which begins with the phrase \u201cHave mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness.\u201d and we conclude every hour with the prayer “Have mercy upon us O’ God, have mercy upon us.” When we enter the church and bow down towards the holy temple, we say <\/strong>\u201cBut as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy, in fear of<\/em> You I will worship towards Your holy temple.<\/em>\u201d (Psalm 5:7)<\/p>\n

During the raising of incense in the evening and the morning, the priest recites the hymn \u201cEphnouti Nai Nan” which means “O’ God, have mercy on us.\u201d He begins each hourly prayer with the phrase \u201cEp-shoi-d nai nan\u201d which means: \u201c\u2018O\u2019 God, have mercy on us.\u201d These prayers might have been quoted from the prayer of the tax-collector who said \u201cGod be\u00a0\u00a0 merciful\u00a0\u00a0 to\u00a0\u00a0 me, a sinner.\u201d <\/em>(Luke 18:13).<\/p>\n

Durin<\/strong>g each prayer we say “Kyrieleison” forty one times which means\u00a0 “O’\u00a0 God,\u00a0 have\u00a0 mercy\u00a0 on\u00a0 us.”\u00a0 <\/strong>Does \u00a0each person who asks for mercy get it according to the promise of God “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find<\/em>” (Matt 7:7)? Or is this conditional? \u00a0Yes, it is:<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> 2<\/strong>. God has mercy on those who show mercy to <\/strong><\/p>\n

This is why He said \u201cBlessed are the merciful for shall obtain mercy.” <\/em>(Matthew 5:7). So we say in the midnight prayer \u201cHe who is not merciful will receive no mercy on the Last Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e cruel people who have no mercy on others are unworthy of God’s mercy. \u00a0They may remember their lack of kindness when they are in need of mercy and are unable to find it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Joseph’s brothers experienced hardship in Egypt, they said to one another \u201cSurely we are being punished because of our brother. \u00a0We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.\u201d But Reuben answered \u201cDid I not speak to \u00a0you saying \u2018Do \u00a0not sin against the boy?\u2019 \u00a0and you wouldn’t listen? \u00a0Therefore behold, this blood is now required of us<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0(Genesis 42:21-22). And when the charge was trumped up against them, and Joseph\u2019s cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, Judah threw himself to the ground before Joseph and said to him \u201cHow shall we clear ourselves?\u00a0 \u00a0God has found out the iniquity of your servants<\/em>.\u201d (Genesis 44:16)<\/p>\n

3<\/strong>.<\/strong>3<\/strong>. To the contrary of that: God will show mercy to the oppressed, even they do not ask Him to do so.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mere iniquity under which they live shouts to God, asking for His justice. This is why the Lord said, \u201cI have surely seen the oppression of My people … I have heard their\u00a0\u00a0 cry because of their t taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So, I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians<\/em>.\u201d (Exodus 3:7,8) He also said in the psalm; \u201cFor the oppression of the poor, \u00a0for the sighing \u00a0of the needy, Now \u00a0I will arise. \u00a0I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.<\/em>\u201d (Psalm 11)<\/p>\n

Divine Inspiration also says \u201cWho\u00a0 executes\u00a0 justice\u00a0 for\u00a0 the oppressed. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of\u00a0\u00a0 the blind. The Lord raises those who are bowed\u00a0 down.\u00a0 The\u00a0 Lord\u00a0 watches\u00a0 over\u00a0 the\u00a0 strangers.\u00a0 He relieves the fatherless and the widow.<\/em>\u201d (Psalm 145)<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Lord reclaims the rights of the oppressed from their oppressors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Saint Macarius the Great <\/strong>was a youth, it happened that a girl conceived through having committed adultery. \u00a0After the secret had been revealed, the adulterer suggested that she accuse Macarius, who lived in seclusion (before he went to Eskete). So people came to him, insulted him severely and charged him with the expenses of both the girl and her illegitimate child after the birth. Then, the Lord interfered. \u00a0It was a difficult delivery. \u00a0As the pains were unbearable, the girl could not find any way to save herself except to confess that she had wrongly accused that righteous man.<\/p>\n

Nabot<\/strong>h the Jezreelite was greatly oppressed by Ahab and<\/strong> Jezebel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

God avenged Naboth’s blood. \u00a0He said to Ahab through Elijah. \u201cThis is why the Lord said,. \u00a0\u201cIn the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth , dogs shall lick up your blood <\/em>!\u201d (1 Kings 21:19).<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Lord showed mercy upon Mordecai also; He took revenge on Haman who had treated Mordecai unjustly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Haman had planned a conspiracy against Mordecai. \u00a0He made a gallows fifty cubits high on which to hang him. Meanwhile, the Lord interfered and spoke to the heart of king Xerxes and revealed to him Mordecai\u2019s past glorious deeds, and the evil ones of Haman.\u00a0 Then the king said to his attendants \u201cHang Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.\u201d <\/em>(Esther 7:9-10).<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Lord also showed mercy to Moses and his people and saved them from Pharaoh’s cruelty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, Moses and his people were rescued from Pharaoh’s slavery when the Lord swept his chariots and horsemen into the Red Sea.<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Lord supported Moses against Aaron and Miriam when they spoke against him<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Lord defended Moses and made him a man of authority before them, He rebuked them and struck Miriam with leprosy and did not forgive her in spite of Moses’ advocacy for her. \u00a0So Miriam\u00a0\u00a0 was\u00a0\u00a0 confined\u00a0\u00a0 outside\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0\u00a0 camp\u00a0\u00a0 for\u00a0\u00a0 seven\u00a0\u00a0 days (Numbers 12:9-15). On the other hand, God did not support Moses when he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. (Exodus 2:14)<\/p>\n

Ther<\/strong>e are many other examples which show how the Lord stands against oppressors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lord supported young David against king Saul when this king treated him unjustly and wished to kill him.\u00a0\u00a0 Saul’s end came and the Spirit of the Lord departed from him (1 Sam<\/p>\n

16:14). At last David conquered but when he wanted to deal harshly with Nabal, God sent Abigail to rebuke him (1 Samuel 25). .<\/p>\n

The Lord was also against Cain when he killed his brother Abel.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God \u00a0punished \u00a0him \u00a0and \u00a0he \u00a0became \u00a0a \u00a0fugitive \u00a0and vagabond on earth. (Genesis 4)<\/p>\n

Th<\/strong>e Lord shows his mercy to all people, but He does not have compassion upon the oppressors because the measure they use will be measured to them (Matt 7:2).<\/strong><\/p>\n

Perhaps the punishment they receive is powerful enough to turn them from the cruelty in their hearts and from treating others\u00a0 unjustly.\u00a0 But\u00a0 if\u00a0 they\u00a0 resist,\u00a0 they\u00a0 would\u00a0 become\u00a0 an example to others.\u00a0\u00a0 For this reason, be oppressed througout your life and not an oppressor; be crucified and not a crucifier.<\/p>\n

4<\/strong>.<\/strong>4<\/strong>. God shows \u00a0mercy \u00a0to \u00a0the \u00a0weak, \u00a0the \u00a0banished, \u00a0the rejected and the <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lord \u00a0supported \u00a0the \u00a0broken \u00a0hearted \u00a0tax-collector \u00a0who went home justified before God. Contrary to this was the proud Pharisee who convicted others. (Luke 18:14)<\/p>\n

The Lord supported Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore – fig tree to see him, paying no attention to those who considered him a sinner. (Luke 19:6,7) The Lord showed mercy to the sinful despised woman who was caught in the very act of adultery and rebuked those hard hearted people who wished to stone her saying \u201cHe who\u00a0\u00a0 is without sin, among you, let\u00a0\u00a0 him throw a stone at her first<\/em>.\u201d (John 8: 7)<\/p>\n

5<\/strong>.<\/strong>5<\/strong>. God shows mercy to the person who has no one to treat him with <\/strong><\/p>\n

He did so with the invalid of Bethesda who had been sick for thirty eight years and had no one to help him into the pool. (John 5:7)<\/p>\n

This is why, when we pray, we say that the Lord is the helper of the helpless, and the hope of the hopeless.\u00a0\u00a0 So the Lord showed mercy upon Lot when the people of Sodom moved forward to break down the door of his house. (Genesis 19)<\/p>\n

Ou<\/strong>r merciful God moves gradually according to our capacity. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. \u00a0But when we are tempted, he will also provide a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13) He gives us milk, not solid food if we are not yet ready for it. (1 Corinthians 3:2) He commands us compassionately \u201cIf it is possible, as much as \u00a0depends \u00a0on \u00a0you, \u00a0live\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0peaceably\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0with \u00a0all \u00a0men<\/em>.\u201d \u00a0(Romans 12:18).<\/p>\n

May God\u2019s mercy be upon us all, Amen! <\/strong><\/p>\n

Source: The Contemplation of \u2018The Sermon on the Mount\u2019 <\/strong>by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mercy is one of God’s qualities and the merciful one bears a His likeness. It was said about God \u201cThe Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. \u00a0He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins. Nor punished us according to our iniquities. \u00a0For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy towards those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.\u201d (Psalm 103:8-12)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holy-scriptures","category-sermon"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6300"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6304,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6300\/revisions\/6304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eotcmk.org\/e\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}