Article October 18, 1924 Issue

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy"

JEKAB GREENBLAT

The practical value of this beatitude, presented by the master Metaphysician in the simplest form of language, is inestimable. Here we have "mercy," an attribute of God, presented to us, as well as the means of obtaining it. But lest there should remain any doubt about what the word "merciful" means, besides his parables and his example, Jesus has left us this further instruction: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven," thus pointing the way for us.

Demonstration, not mere profession, is required. In order to be "merciful," we must refrain from judging and from condemning unjustly; futhermore, we must be forgiving. The principal battle ground, therefore, is in our own individual consciousness. As we proceed to examine ourselves, lest we be found guilty of judging unrighteous judgment, we find that much of what appears to be harmless criticism has to be discarded, when tested by the question, Is it constructive or destructive? Thus uncovered, self-righteousness, intolerance, or injustice in any form, must flee. If wise, then, instead of condemning our fellow-man, we begin to regard him compassionately. We cease to seek Truth for personal benefits only, but like Mary Magdalen, repentant and meek, through deeds of repentance, thus proving our readiness to receive more of divine mercy.

We also begin to learn the true meaning of forgiveness, by realizing that we have not entirely forgiven, if we have not forgotten, in the light of the knowledge of evil's unreality, our brother's offense. Only as it dawns upon us that to forgive means to give love in return for hate and for the evil we may have suffered, can we be said truly to forgive, thereby placing ourselves under the divine laws of justice and mercy. While working out our own salvation along the lines of divine Love, we learn that to "escape from punishment is not in accordance with God's government, since justice is the handmaid of mercy," as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 36); and we also learn how to protect ourselves from the indulgence of false sympathy.

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