The paradox of mercy
Why forgiveness remains elusive
By Ron Bruni
INTRO: If God’s mercy is always available, does that mean that human choices are less significant? Closer introspection will show that God’s mercy respects human free will by offering the possibility of both forgiveness and redemption. Therefore, human choices are significant because they determine whether one accepts or rejects God’s mercy.
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The ideas of mercy and forgiveness are deeply woven into biblical teachings, as highlighted in passages like Micah 7:14-15, 18, and 20; Psalm 103:1-12; and Luke 15:1-3 and 11-32. These values are not just central to religious beliefs; they also play a vital role in our relationships and the harmony of society. Take the story of Adam and Eve, for instance. Despite God's warning, they chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. This suggests that understanding good and evil, including mercy and forgiveness, was part of humanity from the start.
After tasting the fruit, perhaps the concepts of mercy and forgiveness became tainted by human pride. This could explain why something that was originally embedded in us—having been created in the image and likeness of God—has become so distorted, leading to a somewhat inconsistent record of how these virtues are expressed by humankind throughout history. Are mercy and forgiveness hardwired into our nature? If they are, then why aren't they universally practiced? And how have these virtues changed over time?
In the biblical story, Adam and Eve's disobedience resulted in their banishment from the Garden of Eden. Yet, this moment also marked the start of humanity's journey with the knowledge of good and evil. The fact that they were made in God's image suggests they naturally had the potential for virtues like mercy and forgiveness. God's merciful actions towards Adam and Eve—like providing them with clothing and sparing humanity from extinction through Noah—show a divine example of mercy that we can strive to follow.
In Micah’s reading, God’s uniqueness and pardoning of sin is manifested: “who is a God like you who pardons sin and forgives transgressions?” and, “his anger does not last forever because he delights to show mercy and cast sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah’s passages highlight God’s mercy and forgiveness towards Israel despite their transgressions. The passage also emphasizes God’s power over nations and his mercy on his people showcasing forgiveness as a fundamental aspect of His divine nature. This biblical perspective encourages humans to reflect on their own capacity for mercy and forgiveness.
Psalm 103 praises God for healing, beginning, and crowning his people with love, even in mid human frailty: “he forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” It reminds believers of God steadfast love and compassion, encouraging them to emulate these virtues in the relationship with others.
The parable of the prodigal son vividly illustrates this restoration. The father runs to embrace his wayward son, restoring him fully despite his failures: “bring the best robe… Let’s celebrate!” Luke’s gospel sets the context: Jesus defends his association with sinners prompting the parable to show God’s heart for the lost. The Pharisees criticism contrasts with the father’s joy over repentance. The parables older son mirrors the Pharisees self-righteousness, while the father’s response — “you are always with me” — emphasizes God’s grace over merit.
One might say that the readings from Micah, Psalms, and Luke converge on a radical version of mercy that defies common human logic — a grace so vast it unsettles our sense of “ fairness.” Luke 15:20 dramatizes this: the father runs to the prodigal son interrupting his rehearsed apology. Mercy here is unearned — it interrupts shame with unasked-for grace.
All of these texts which we have read today reveal a God who absorbs the cost of sin and invites us to live as forgiven for givers. In a culture obsessed with canceling and vengeance the church’s radical mercy could be its most disruptive witness. Remember mercy doesn’t negate justice but redefines it. While vengeance seeks punitive balance, mercy seeks restorative justice — healing for both victim and offender.
Throughout history, various civilizations and religions have embodied Christ’s ideals of mercy and forgiveness to different extents. In ancient Greece and Rome, while not directly aligned with Christ’s teachings, these civilizations laid foundational concepts of mercy and pity. The Epicureans for instance saw mercy as a sign of human progress. All of the major religions Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism at their core they teach the importance of mercy as a central attribute as well as emphasizing compassion as a key virtue.
While no civilization or religion perfectly embodies Christ’s ideals of mercy and forgiveness these examples highlight significant efforts towards these virtues. Mercy and forgiveness have been practiced in various forms across cultures and religions since recorded time. Despite their importance these virtues are still not universally practiced due to several factors:
1. Human nature and conflict: humans have an innate capacity for both cooperation and conflict. While mercy and forgiveness can resolve conflicts, they often require significant emotional and cognitive effort.
2. Cultural and social influences: societal norms and cultural values can either promote or hinder the practice of mercy and forgiveness. In some cultures forgiveness is seen as a sign of weakness while in others it is revered as a strength.
3. Historical contexts: historical events such as wars and injustices can make forgiveness challenging. The scale of harm and complexity of conflicts can complicate the forgiveness process.
From an agnostic standpoint, the concept of God’s mercy not being “fair” raises questions about the nature of fairness itself. They may feel that God’s mercy challenges human notions of fairness which is often based on a merit system. But this begs the question. Fairness might not be the appropriate lens through which to evaluate God’s mercy. God’s mercy is not seen as contradicting fairness but rather as complementing it. It is an expression of God’s love which is not bound by human concepts of merit. And the idea that God’s love might make a mockery of our merit-based system is not seen as a problem but as a blessing because it underscores the gratuitous nature of God’s grace and the idea that salvation is not earned but given freely.
What about the idea of reconciling God’s mercy with human suffering? If God exists and is merciful, one might expect less suffering. But suffering can be redemptive, it’s not about eliminating all pain but about transforming it into something meaningful. The cross of Christ is seen as the ultimate expression of God’s mercy, where suffering is transformed into salvation. Therefore, human suffering is not a contradiction to God’s mercy but an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper understanding of divine love.
An even more thorny issue revolves around the question of how God’s mercy relates to human free will. If God’s mercy is always available, does that mean that human choices are less significant? Closer introspection will show that God’s mercy respects human free will by offering the possibility of both forgiveness and redemption. Therefore, human choices are significant because they determine whether one accepts or rejects God’s mercy. Thus God’s mercy is always available but requires human cooperation and repentance to be effective.
Mercy and forgiveness are fundamental virtues that have been part of human nature since the beginning. While they are not universally practiced, they are essential for building harmonious relationships in societies. As humanity continues to evolve, promoting cultural shifts towards empathy and understanding can help make mercy and forgiveness more prevalent. Ultimately fostering these virtues requires a combination of personal reflection, community engagement, and technological innovation.