Be Ye Merciful

As I struggle with difficult feelings today, I searched for guidance and was lead to read the following from Divine Intimacy. If you are looking for wonderful material for mental prayer I highly recommend this book.

Jesus revealed to us the mystery of His heavenly Father's merciful love not only for our own consolation and personal benefit, not only to give us absolute confidence in God, but also to teach us to be merciful to our neighbor. "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Lk 6,36) Good attracts good, goodness engenders goodness, kindness inspires kindness; therefore, the more a soul penetrates the mystery of infinite mercy, the more it will be incited to emulate it. When we feel irritated with someone and little disposed to indulgence and pardon, we ought to plunge with all our strength into the consideration of the infinite mercy of God, in order to stifle all harshness, resentment, and anger in ourselves. If we had but the slightest experience of our own wretchedness, it would not be difficult for us to realize that there is no moment of our lives in which we do not need the mercy of God. Our merciful Father is so forbearing that He never casts us off despite all our falls, never reproaches us about the many times he has forgiven us, never refuses us His Paternal embrace of love and peace. Nothing softens a soul more, making it full of good will toward others, than this consideration. Oh! if others could see in our attitude toward them a reflection of God's infinite mercy! "Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you" (Mt 5,44).

"Oh Lord, may the consideration of Your infinite mercy dilate my heart, that I may learn how to treat others mercifully."