Listening
as an Act of Mercy and Love
by
Robbin Brent
This week we will focus on the theme of listening as an
act of mercy and love. My initial understanding of mercy was that it was
something God, or others, bestowed on me, feeling sorry for me or in some ways
pitying me, and deciding to give me another chance. Mercy was something I was
lucky to get. While my understanding of mercy has matured, it wasn’t until my
teacher, Cynthia Bourgeault, unpacked mercy at a Wisdom School that something
cracked wide open in my being.
In a teaching on the Divine Exchange, Cynthia referred to
Helen Luke’s contributions to exchange in Helen’s book, Old Age. She shared
that Helen understood mercy as a holy act of exchange, something of value both
given and received. This, based on the root for the word “mercy” being merc,
the root also forming the words commerce and merchant, words that at one point
were associated with respect and dignity, although less so now. Helen goes on
to trace the deeper root of the word “exchange,”—connected with the French
merci, with “grateful response and kindness of heart,” and finally to
compassion and forgiveness, where we are able to open ourselves to the Mercy
that frees all faults, which is the ultimate exchange.”
This idea of mercy
being an exchange that “frees all faults” relates beautifully to what Heidi Kim
wrote yesterday, “may we remember to listen for God’s mercy and grace.” That
God listens to the innermost longings and struggles we express through our
prayers, both spoken and silent, and responds with renewing, hopeful, and
redemptive mercy, grace, and love.
Making
It Personal: What is your current understanding of mercy?
Do you see how
listening can be an act of mercy? Of love?
In a prayer, or
perhaps in something you write, what words might you use to convey your desire
to join your heart with God’s heart?
Living
Well Through Lent 2021
Copyright
©2021 Scott Stoner.
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rights reserved.
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