“Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
There
is a story out of the days of Napoleon when the mad genius was plowing through
Europe with fury. In the midst of battle one of his soldiers, just a boy
really, was caught running away. Napoleon sentenced him to death. The young man’s
mother pleaded for a hearing before the Emperor. When it was agreed, she told
the Emperor the boy had been frightened, was too young to understand all that
he was fighting for and against. She asked for mercy. Napoleon said the soldier had
deserted his post, had betrayed his country, and left his comrades in danger.
He said he did not deserve mercy. The woman said, “But your Eminence, if he
deserved it, it wouldn’t be mercy.” Can we show mercy to Donald Trump? Can we
look beyond his bravado and outrageousness to see the pretender he is? A
frightened and insecure man operating from a deep need to be approved, praised,
and loved. A man who can, in limited capacities, show love to others. Can we be
merciful to Hillary Clinton? Can we accept the wounds she carries, the
betrayals of love, the belittling of her womanhood and acknowledge her
impressive skills of intellect, courage, and loyalty to her family? What about
Ted Cruz? Can we listen to his sanctimonious lectures and with mercy hear a man
manipulated by a bullying father? And Bernie Sanders. Can we show him mercy? A
plain spoken and at times brusque man from simple beginnings. A man driven by a
sincere, passionate social vision that is inclusive and just even if it may be
idealistic or unattainable in a craven, materialistic society. Can we see in
these flawed people a good heart? Can we accept their humanity? Mercy allows
that. ~ TM
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