KykNET Lent Guide 2023Sample

Week 4: Mercifulness

Day 1:

The quality of mercy is not strain'd;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd;

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown:

His scepter shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above his sceptered sway;

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice.

Mercy by William Shakespeare

Luk 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

We all need mercy in our lives and when we give it to others, we come into contact with how much we need it ourselves. That is why it is easier to look away – to ignore it – not because I don’t want to help, but because I fear that I cannot even help myself. The good news is that mercy is already given to me in my brokenness – I can receive it.

Jesus’ life shows us the path to a life of mercy. Think of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19. In those days, tax collectors were not considered favourites in the community. Children spat on them as they passed. They were characterised as people who consorted and lived with sinners. Jesus comes to town, sees Zacchaeus, and says: “I must stay at your house today.” Can you imagine what Zacchaeus must have felt? In that moment, he received Jesus’ mercy and transformation takes place in his life. He pays back those he has done in. He shares his possessions and makes peace with his enemies – because God’s mercy has touched and transformed him.

This week, you are invited to open yourself to receive mercy, to share it, and become aware of how to get it.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matt 5:7 NIV

Practice of Faith for the Week:

During the course of the week, write down the names of those for whom you can/ will/ and do care. Name them in prayer to God at the end of the week.