Saturday of week 2 in Ordinary Time, 1

Faces of mercy

Mark 3:20-21

It seems that this is one of the shortest gospels ever read in masses.  Jesus and his apostles didn't have to eat with so much crowd needing help and healing; and yet even their relatives accused him as going out of his mind.

The mercy of Jesus in this gospel is found in the following points:

First, thinking of others rather than the self

It is in ministering to others that we are ministered.  People being fed becomes our food.  People brought to life becomes our lives as well.

Second, mercy becomes dangerous

Mercy becomes dangerous because it doesn't conform to society's expectations.  Society would say, "survival of the fittest"; mercy would say, "sharing".  Others would say, "eye for an eye"; mercy would say, "forgive".  But note, as these are relatives of Jesus, Jesus would say, "But who are my relatives?  Those who do God's will are my mother, brothers, and sisters."

Third, mercy is still concrete as life itself

We need to offer our lives for mercy.  It can't be a concept.  We need to offer our time, talent, and treasure for mercy.  Mercy begets mercy.