Orthodox Thought for the Day

ORTHODOX THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Friday, August 23, 2013

Blessed are the merciful


Christ Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount
Modern Coptic icon, painted by the nuns of Saint Demiana Monastery, Egypt 

Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy, (Matt 5:7).  The merciful person is he who gives to others what he has himself received from God, whether it be money, or food, or strength, a helpful word, a prayer, or anything else that he has through which he can express his compassion for those in need.  At the same time he considers himself a debtor, since he has received more than he is asked to give.  By Christ’s grace, both in the present and in the world to come, before the whole of creation he is called merciful, just as God is called merciful (cf Luke 6:36).  

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