Beautiful teachings of Pope Francis on how to be merciful

The Gospel (Lk 6:36-38) identifies three steps to help us understand how to be merciful. Do not judge others; do not condemn; forgive: in this way you imitate the mercy of the Father.

Firstly, judge not, and you will not be judged. So as not to go astray in life, we need to imitate God. The mercy of God is such a great thing, very great. 

Let us remember that story about the poor widow who went to confess to the Curé of Ars. Her husband had committed suicide; he jumped from the bridge into the river. And she wept. She said, “I am a sinner! But my poor husband! He is in hell. He committed suicide, and suicide is a mortal sin. He is in hell”. And the Curé of Ars said, “But wait a moment, ma’am, because between the bridge and the river, there is the mercy of God.” But to the very end, to the very end, there is the mercy of God.

One who judges always gets it wrong. Because he takes the place of God, who is the only judge: taking that place is taking the wrong place! Believing you have the authority to judge everything: people, life, everything. And with the capacity to judge, you also assume you have the capacity to condemn. Condemning the sinner breaks the bond of fraternity with him and scorns the mercy of God. 

St. Luke makes clear that perfection is merciful love. Being perfect means being merciful. The Christian must forgive. Why? Because he has been forgiven.

If God has forgiven me, why must I not forgive others? Am I greater than God?

Merciful love is the only path to take. Forgiving, being merciful, living our life in love and giving ... permits the disciples of Jesus to not lose the identity received from him and to recognize themselves as children of the same father.

Do not forget this: mercy and giving, forgiveness and giving. This way the heart grows, it grows in love. Selfishness, anger make the heart smaller, smaller, smaller, smaller and it hardens like a stone.

If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful!

Sources:

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/cotidie/2014/documents/papa-francesco-cotidie_20140623_no-one-can-judge.html

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-judging-and-condemning-brother-sins-wrong

https://sites.google.com/view/pope-francis-homilies/condemnation