Treat With Mercy

October 6, 2008

Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

By Beth DeCristofaro

Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people?
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)


"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 37)

Piety

Gracious Lord, grant me not pass through this day in apprehension of thugs, dangers, financial concerns or set backs which might or might not be along my path. Let me not look at others in judgment, antagonism, resentment or fear. Help me instead look and recognize you in my neighbor. Bless me with mercy. Grant me total confidence in your Loving Care.

Study

Entering the speeding, crowed beltway the other day, a driver refused to move over and I actually had to come to a shuddering halt at the end of the entrance ramp because concrete construction barriers closed off the shoulder of the road. The anti-lock brakes kicked with a jolt in to keep me from colliding with the jersey wall just about the time that fear also jolted me. As I felt my own adrenaline –induced quaking start, a fierce torrent of anger just flooded me. I could have been seriously hurt! There was no need for that JERK to drive that way. I almost wished that I was mobile, instead of at a dead stop, order to follow and at least honk to tell her/him what I thought.

Reflecting, it occurs to me to claim the physical and impelling wash of emotion was indeed, mine. The violence and the impulse to follow up on it was mine. Might I have acted on it? Since there was no possibility, I cannot truly answer the question. But it is clear, I had a temptation to violence which I definitely prefer to deny. Yes it is subtle, but where do actions which begin in anger eventually lead? If not curbed, what can result from unjust words spoken, slammed doors, barbed jokes or files tossed in frustration on another’s desk?

Perhaps it is a valid meditation to visualize myself as the priest or Levite in Jesus’ story. What compelled them to not see the violence right next to them? Or imagine that Paul’s letter was delivered to my church – what do his words mean to me? Would I really have followed that stupid and thoughtless driver in a fit of road rage? Maybe not. But I have the capacity to do so.

Action

Where can I respond in love? Where can I build bridges of love and concern? As our election process continues, can I refuse to take part in the hurtful and hateful bickering and name calling? “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Can I see that Samaritan, Black, White, Female, Male, victim, leader or yes, even robber and dangerous driver, we are all created in God’s image and that Jesus loves us all as brothers and sisters? Can we extend that love? Can we help our society heal?