Salty and Shiny - A Study of the BeatitudesSample

Blessed Are The Merciful 

The merciful are those who are compassionate to others consistently. They never lose sight of the fact that they are forgiven and are the recipients of divine mercy, so they extend that to others without reproach. They, in turn, receive mercy from God and people. The trait that sets us apart in the world is the ability to truly care for people without passing judgment on them. In the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus highlights the absolute preposterous behavior of the servant whose great debt the master had forgiven, when he choke-holds a fellow worker over a measly debt owed. This story should keep us in check every time we have the chance to show mercy to a fellow man or woman. Showing compassion doesn’t cost us anything but it would make a world of difference to the recipient. 

Can you think of one person today whom you have withheld compassion from and maybe make an extra effort to care for them with zero judgment, no matter what you know of their past or their current situation?