Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

"Your God doesn't seem to be very fair." I heard that statement once from someone whose child has suffered greatly. The Old Testament reading this morning responds to that provocative question with aplumb, as the LORD says, "You say, "The way of the Lord is unfair..." Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? (Ezekiel 18:25)

In the New Testament reading, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, the racial ethnic dude who unexpectantly came through for the victimized man in a lurch. The more likely heroes, the church staff member and the lawyer, disappointed everyone in their lack of concern for the man who had been robbed and beaten. Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" Jesus said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:36-37)

Mercy is in short supply these days. Perhaps we should show more of it to one another and to God.

"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" Joe Zawinul's tune played by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Slideshow.