Mercy and more mercy

The texts today from the Roman Catholic lectionary bring to mind an expression from childhood which was spoken when there was an incident or a mess to be dealt with. “Mercy,mercy” may be an acclamation of surprise or it may be a prayer for assistance from God in acting in response to the incident. The Book of Genesis today is setting up the incident to which Joseph will respond as he reacts to the presence of brothers who had betrayed him. The psalmist praises God as the One who is faithful to our trust in His mercy. The Gospel from Matthew presents the list of the Twelve Apostles who are being sent to be agents of the mercy of God to the twelve tribes of Israel. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the how our expectation of punishment for those who wrong us, brothers who betray or people who reject the Messiah are reversed as the ones with whom we might be angry become the subjects of efforts to bring healing and mercy to the situations. Bayu Risanto S.J. cites Pope Francis declaration of mercy as a criterion for ascertaining those who are living as children of God.