Spiritual Formation

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  Merciful

  2/3/2026
  by John Bishop, Director of Spiritual Formation, based on this week's MS/HS Chapel

  
  This week, we continue with the fifth beatitude found in Matthew 5:7:
  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
  
  

  Are you someone who can let things go? Or do you find yourself constantly fighting for justice, making sure every wrong is made right?
  
  

  This beatitude isn’t difficult to understand—Jesus’ words are crystal clear. The challenge isn’t comprehension, it’s self- awareness. The real question is: how do you respond when someone wrongs you? When someone offends you, hurts you, takes what’s yours, lies about you, or lets you down— what’s your instinct? Is it mercy?
  
  

  There’s a universal truth about human nature: when we are in the wrong, we hope for mercy. We want understanding, grace, and a second chance. But when someone else is in the wrong—especially if it’s against us—we demand justice. We want them to feel the consequences of what they’ve done. We want fairness. We want payback.
  
  

  Jesus flips this instinct on its head. He says if you want mercy, you need to extend mercy. And by implication, if you insist on justice for others, you may find yourself receiving justice as well. That’s a sobering thought.
  
  

  To apply this beatitude to our lives, we have to begin with an honest admission: we are sinners. Every one of us. A perfect person could demand justice without fear—they’d never need mercy because they’d never do anything wrong. But that’s not us. We are far from perfect. We mess up. We fall short. We hurt others. We need grace more often than we’d like to admit.
  
  

  Mercy requires humility. It calls us to treat others not as they deserve, but as we hope to be treated when we’re at our worst. And the blessing Jesus promises is both practical and profound: when we live with mercy in our hearts, we create a world where mercy flows both ways.
  
  

  So this week, ask yourself: In what situation do I need to choose mercy over justice? Where have I been holding onto offense instead of offering grace? Because Jesus is clear—the merciful will be shown mercy.