“Mercy!”

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people;once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.1 Peter 4:10Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.Matthew 5:7“Mercy!” An exclamation of surprise or fear.Mercy—a word that radiates compassion, grace, charity, forgiveness, humanity, tender-heartedness, kindness, liberality, or generosity.Mercy as gift—the descriptor of the gift of our God who created the world and universe as we know it and all of humanity who live in it.Mercy—the descriptor of both…

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Living Joy in the Face of Suffering

So (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:8I am writing this on Easter Monday. We are now on the “joyous” side of Lent/Easter 2020 as we celebrate the life-changing Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection. We proclaim this event offers all who believe it life forever in God’s community of love.Yet, as I listen to news reports and read the reflections of persons who are trying to make…

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