Mercy is a Core Concept That is Found in the Bible
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
Five hundred years ago during the Reformation, religious and political leaders had an unhealthy codependent relationship. My church founder, Martin Luther, argued that church and state should be separate, accountable to the populace and each other. He lived and experienced a time when princes and senior church leadership conspired together to quell the people.
Unfortunately, history has repeated this time and again, one of the more recent incidents being the rise of Nazism and the suppression of Catholic and Lutheran independence during the 1930s and ‘40s. This is a time that my church body has really examined to learn from history.
I know the pressure of calling people to account. A core stance of Christian belief is that we are not perfect or infallible. The weight of sin can be felt in many churches as we recognize our sins on a regular basis. I have been ordained for over 13 years and have had to hold people accountable to the faith they profess to follow. This is never easy.
I stand with Bishop Budde, who, on Inauguration Day, preached a sermon at the National Cathedral, focused on unity and mercy. While unity might be a more aspirational thought, her words directed to the President has caught ire in some people’s minds.
Mercy is a concept found over 200 times in the Bible. It is fundamental in oft-quoted scripture, like Micah 6:8 and Luke 10:37. It is this second passage that is most important: Jesus asks who a neighbor is after telling the story of the Good Samaritan, and the response from an engaged person is “the one who shows mercy.” Mercy is core to faith.
Notice that the bishop didn’t expound on policy about border control. She didn’t comment on LGBTQIA+ legislation. She just asked for mercy. Mercy is about caring for those who need help.
No matter what we think of political causes, we can all show mercy rather than promote fear and distrust. For anyone selling or reading Bibles, this should be a universal acceptance. When government dictates right faith, we are close to times of great upheaval. Rather, faith and government should hold each other accountable to care for the least, even while striving for a better tomorrow.
Rev. Kevin O’Hara
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Pleasantville
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