Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

Lectionary: 309

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

You wouldn't think that mercy might generate hostile controversy. Isn't mercy something wonderful, a sign of God's great compassion and generous goodness? Which of us, knowing our private sins, doesn't hope for mercy from the All-seeing Lord and Judge? Ordinarily, we expect it also of our family, friends, and colleagues; who could function if they were being judged and condemned continually by people all around them? Mercy is the air we breathe.

But, in today's gospel, when the Lord shows mercy he is immediately vilified by the scribes. He simply has no right to forgive sins! That's God's prerogative and no one may ever speak for God or presume to know the Mind of God!

Shortly before leaving office, American presidents and governors customarily issue pardons to convicted criminals. Because they are retiring and, presumably, have no further political aspirations, they can show mercy with impunity. The original idea is to undo some apparent miscarriages of justice when the legal machinery punished too severely. Model prisoners, perhaps entering the system as children-tried-like-adults, who have proven themselves trustworthy and have demonstrated admirable virtue, can be given a break.

But the custom may also be an opportunity to return political favors to shady characters who supported the official. These indulgences rarely get much attention; neither the press nor the public cares about their largesse, But they might get very upset if the criminal seems to find undeserved compassion, as happened recently in Kentucky.

In today's story, when a paralyzed man arrived in the middle of Jesus' teaching, some people were offended by the intrusion. They probably supposed, on the principle of the just world hypothesis, the man was suffering for his sins. God's world must be a rational place; there is a reason for everything; virtue is rewarded and vice is punished. Showing mercy to people whom God apparently despises risks serious repercussions! If Jesus dares to show mercy to punished sinners he is obviously interfering in God's just management of the universe.

Besides that, we like the way things are. We are not being punished, and that can only mean we have done nothing wrong. At least nothing serious enough to warrant the penalty of paralysis! Leave the man in his misery; he brought it upon himself!

Jesus' mercy seems to upset the order of the universe, and all the expectations of a religion that has figured out the universe. That religion had a place for mercy; it recognized healing as a sign of mercy; and prosperity, success, and the admiration of others. If things are going well for you despite your sins, God is showing you mercy! But if you're in pain, we'll not interfere in God's ways.

Jesus, as his faithful disciples know, not only shows mercy; he recreates the universe. His mercy is not an exception to the rule; it is the new rule of God's world. He heals the sick regardless of their past; he forgives their sins, opening the way to reconciliation and atonement.

Since becoming a chaplain in the VA hospital, I have come to appreciate this open, hospitable welcome to "sinners" of every sort. Although every system has its limits and must do triage, we receive the sick and the suffering again and again and again. I have seen some alcoholics turn up here every few weeks, having lost another bout with the bottle. I cannot imagine why they choose to drink again when they know precisely what will happen: they will collapse and be hauled off to the hospital, where they will feel utterly miserable for many hours and days, if not weeks. We take them in, provide a bed, and feed them when they're ready to eat. Most are offered rehab and most rehab patients will return several times before they decide to live with better attitudes and habits. Those who don't die of the disease, recover.

In the end, the statisticians say, this open-armed mercy is not as costly as punishment. Spiritually also, we cannot afford to leave the miserable to their miserable ways. Those distancing, opinionated attitudes harden our hearts and inhibit our communion with God. Also, on the practical side, if we fail to show mercy, we might not be shown mercy by the very institutions we have created.

The practice of mercy may be counter-intuitive. It seems to the foolish that God the Just Judge rules the world by strict justice and God's servants should do the same. But the day comes when Jesus confronts us, often right in front of our friends and family, "Let them who have not sinned throw the first stones!" In that moment we admit and confess openly: "I need God's mercy more than God's justice. I am lost without it."