During his weekly catechesis, the pope reflected on the fifth Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” He said it is in forgiving others that one is forgiven.
The pope said mercy is at the center of Christian life, and thus, is a gift one can and should ask of God.
EXCERPTS FROM POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now consider the fifth Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” This is the only Beatitude where both its cause and effect coincide. This reciprocal nature of mercy can be seen not only here but wherever we encounter God’s merciful love, for there is an inseparable link between mercy offered and mercy received. In Matthew’s Gospel we read: “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.”
Both the Beatitude and the Lord’s Prayer help us realize that we are essentially in debt to God and to others, constantly in need of forgiveness on account of our failures and sin. Recognizing our neediness, and seeking and receiving God’s mercy, in turn strengthens us to forgive others, and points to the secret of mercy: it is in forgiving that we are forgiven.
Mercy is not one aspect among many, but is rather the very center of Christian life. As we thank God for his great gift of mercy, let us strive to share with our brothers and sisters this beautiful fruit of charity.
I greet the English-speaking faithful joining us through the media, as we continue on our Lenten journey towards Easter. Upon you and your families, I invoke the strength and peace that come from our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you!
