The more we internalize, trust, and believe in Jesus’ mercy for us, the more mercy, compassion, and service will be evident in us toward others. There’s a direct relationship between how loved we know we are, to how much mercy we show those around us. This is why Jesus ALWAYS points out that the one who loves Him best are always the ones who have received the most mercy. It’s also why the poor and oppressed are almost always examples of faith. If we feel better about ourselves when we consider the poor, the broken, the immigrant, the single mom, the addict, the unemployed, the unpopular, it is that moment when we must reconsider ourselves in light of grace, as rebels, and outcasts, as exiles, now brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ.

21.10.10