Humanity

We all like to look at others and judge their behaviors and make assumptions about what may be going on with them internally. We make these kind of assumptions and judgements most of the time while totally forgetting that we have been given mercy, grace, and compassion by our Creator. We accept it from God, but oh how hard it is to give it to someone else that needs it and may even be asking for it.

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
"The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."

Matthew 18:21-35

People around us everyday are needing and asking for mercy. They are our fellow humans. They have experienced the same heartaches, troubles, pains, and frustrations that we all have. Those experiences may have happened in a different context or situation, but the feelings and the outcomes are just the same. When we get there we ask for God's grace and mercy to carry us through and God is quick to do so, unconditionally. What happens for us when we encounter someone who needs mercy? I know that at times I am quick to make judgements and demand that a person act differently. Really I need to have compassion for them. We are all a part of humanity - no matter our religion, our nationality, our backgrounds - there is a fellow human being created in the image of the almighty, loving creator that has not hurt or suffered in some way. We have all been there! Humanity - compassion - is accepting this person, offering mercy to this person, and understanding that you have been there too! It may be a different situation than you have been in, but you know what it is like to hurt, be angry, feel slighted, to have things not turn out like you want, to lose a loved one, we all know these things.

Remember this today as you walk the way of Jesus. Forgive, love, and show your humanity by having compassion for those that would normally make you angry. Look at them and see yourself, God's image, and their humanity. Accept as you have been accepted. Love as you have been loved.

Namaste'