M E R C Y
I’ve written that word every day in lecture and discussion.
Mercy. Justice. Humanity. Dignity.
During our last lecture, a woman who had been Peter Sellar’s student years ago whom I have spoke with in prior lectures, commented how this class allows you to have a view of life that goes beyond the day-to-day monotony.
The words pound into my head and touch my heart.
Mercy. Humanity. Dignity of the Individual. Radical Love. Mercy.
I think of Jesus. I think He likes our class because we are talking about something real, true, good, beautiful — not beautiful in the superficial sense, but beautiful in how it relates to God Himself. I think of how Jesus preached a message of mercy, radical love, and the dignity of humanity.
These words that swirl like leaves in the wind that eventually settle will not fade with the passing seasons. These words I want to live by.
I want to preach a message of mercy in my everyday interactions. Action begins now, with those closest to me, with those I interact with. It begins with me. I need to be loving and merciful toward myself and know my inherent worth as a daughter of God. I need to see that same, but unique value in EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL ON THIS EARTH — regardless of what they have done or failed to do, who they are, what they believe, or where they come from.
My fellow human being is my brother or sister. I am on this earth to love them, even in a small, seemingly meaningless passing moment: as we pass each other on the sidewalk, as we both walk out of the library, as we live separate lives that share space.
Mercy. Receive mercy. Be mercy. The time is now.
Anne Marie Alwan
