Do you remember as a child the magic word boys would say if they were ready to give up when wrestling? Do you remember that everyone abided by that unwritten rule? Do you know there is an axiom in the Beatitudes that the unwritten rule was based on?
When I was in elementary school, when we would wrestle, if one boy had gotten another boy pinned, his arm twisted behind his back, or had somehow overpowered the other one, the one on the losing end would say mercy. It was a signal that one was giving up and the other would relent.
Though that is an example of mercy being shown in one instance, Jesus calls us to show mercy continuously. He states in the fifth Beatitude that those who show mercy (continuously) will receive mercy from God, both now and in the future. It is God who gives the reward of mercy. This means we are not to be vengeful or seeking retribution. It also means we are to help others in need. It is not simply donating to a charity but taking action when we see someone in need. How do we address homelessness, feed the hungry, assist someone with childcare, help someone alongside the road with a flat tire?
Jesus follows that with a statement about being pure in heart. If we fully committed to God and morally upright by following his guidance, we will see God. To be pure in heart, we must desire God and be loyal to him at all times. We must serve God by serving others. It is not about rituals or traditions but the heart, loving God with our entire being. Our reward is seeing God, both now and in the future. We will see him at work in our lives and the lives of others now while also seeing him face-to-face in the future.
Though the Beatitudes are not commands, they are statements from Jesus to provide us with guidance for living. They tell us how we can have a better relationship with God and promises us that God will always be with us. We are blessed in many ways when we commit ourselves to him.
I pray we all show mercy to others. I pray we commit ourselves fully to God. I pray each one of us follow the guidance Jesus provides in the Beatitudes and improve our relationship with God. Show mercy continuously. Be pure in heart. Commit yourself to God. Follow Jesus’ guidance. Improve your relationship with God.
Matthew 5:7-8
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Marty Pressey 