The quality of mercy is not strained;
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:
‘T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown:
His sceptre 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 this sceptred sway;
It is enthronèd 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.
(William Shakeppeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I)
The quote above comes from Portia, who seeks mercy from Shylock, a moneylender who seeks to extract a pound of flesh from Antonio, who set his flesh as collateral on a loan he cannot pay back. Portia disguised as a young male “doctor of the law”, repeatedly asks Shylock to show mercy and gives a memorable speech on forgiveness and mercy.
Today’s Gospel offers an interesting insight about eternal life. It speaks about mercy and justice. Jesus provides an indirect answer to a question about why there is so much injustice in the world. Why does God allow sin and Evil to prevail? Jesus explains that God is justice and creates justice. This is our consolation and our hope. And in his justice, there is also grace. This we know by turning our gaze to the crucified and risen Christ. Both of these things—justice and grace—must be seen in their correct inner relationship. God’s grace allows us all to hope that there is a God, and God can create justice in a way that we cannot conceive. The theological virtue of hope will provide endurance for perseverance in accepting the injustice in the world. In the end, no perfect justice will be found in this world. We might be horrified by the ruthlessness of injustice in this world. But those evildoers will be held accountable in the afterlife and they will not escape eternal damnation and punishment.
In prayer today, ask God where you need to be merciful and where you need God’s mercy. Ultimately, all of us need mercy for our salvation because all of us will be held accountable for what we have done in our lives. Bring your thoughts about justice and mercy to Jesus and see what He has to say about them.