Mercy, Part III | National Catholic Reporter

Mercy, Part III | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Having been shown mercy, we must show the same - both in person and in politics (Social Security arrangements are part of this - something I still have arguments with libertarians about.  Mercy  is equated with Love (or Charity) as found in Corinthians Chapter 13.  In other words we must enounter others with love (and pay our taxes in the same spirit.   Kasper mentions the corporal works of Mercy, as found in Matthew 25, which we must accomplish joyfully, while bemoaning their lack of a central place in the current Cathecism. The seven deadly sins are seen as a more productive way to examine the conscience then the Commandments, which often yield an examination of conscience that is self centered rather than other centered - which is exactly the wrong way to go.  He also does not use Mercy as a way to avoid any conscieness of sin - like abortion and assisted suicide (he does not entertain the thought that either might not always be sinful - which to me is a failure of imagination if death is certain or likely to occur in a dangerous pregnancy).



The ultimate end of mercy is not some moral excellence, or enhanced compassion, but the finding of Christ in our acts of mercy - so it is revelation rather than just morality (as often as you do these things you do them for me).  This is not about Heaven, but life here on earth.  MSW writes that this plays into our tendency to reduce morality to ethics - that we must keep God in the center.  This, of course, dances with the words of St. Francis to preach the Gospel, using words only when necessary - about the most succint way of integrating morals with our inner light. It is a light we must share (not hide under a basket). It is not for only our own conversion, but also the conversion of others.  For the whole Church and world, not just for self development.   Kaspar also argues against Mercy as a source of cheap grace to avoid the confessional (maybe - but arguing about the sinfulness of certain acts is not necessarily denial if they have been mischaracterized by the Church).



Kasper also brings in social justice (back to that whole tax and spend thing the Acton Institute rejects as part of Catholic teaching).  Kaspar has taken heat lately because he sounds like Pope Francis - and it seems there is some pent up and unsaid frustration about the Holy Father.  Of course, this book is not about Kasper, the Pope or even Pope Benedict - all of whom say the same thing about this subject.  These words are from Christ - which is bad news for those who would slay the messenger when Jesus is the message.