SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

Do you find yourself wondering and worrying if you actually did fast for a full sixty minutes before receiving Communion? Do you ever catch yourself wondering if the person ahead of you in the Communion line is receiving worthily? If so, Jesus offers helpful words, echoing the prophet Hosea: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7; see Hosea 6:6).

What are Hosea and Jesus telling us? That we shouldn’t care about whether we or someone else is honoring God’s commands and guidelines? No. In fact, Jesus valued and upheld God’s law. But he often went out of his way to remind us that everyone needs mercy. And the reason why we are trying to follow God’s rules is more important than being preoccupied with fulfilling them with perfect precision. Our focus, he says, should be on receiving God’s mercy and then offering that same mercy we have received to others. This is what God desires for us.

In order to give mercy away, however, we first need to experience it ourselves. And our first step is to ask ourselves, “Have I received God’s mercy?” Don’t think you don’t deserve it. As Jesus told St. Faustina, “The greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to my mercy.” Nothing disqualifies you from the mercy and love of God—no sin, no weakness, no lack of faith.

So if you tend to be overly critical of yourself, receive God’s tender affirmation: You are my child, and I love you. If you are bound up in worry, receive his assurance: I am with you, whatever may come.

Then give it away! Start with those you are closest to. Offer mercy and compassion to your spouse, your parents, your children, and your colleagues and friends. Through your words and actions, proclaim that mercy is more powerful than differences of opinions or misunderstandings. Assume their best intentions, not the worst. Make that apology that you’ve been putting off. “Waste” a little time being present to someone who needs company.

Receive God’s mercy today, that you may be able to give it away.

“Jesus, help me to treasure your mercy above all else.”

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8
(Psalm) Isaiah 38:10-12, 16
Matthew 12:1-8