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Becoming Apostles of Mercy
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown Mercy” (Matthew 5:7 (NIV)
I have chosen to write on this topic in the memory of the Late Pope Francis, who did not just preach about mercy but through his actions became an apostle of mercy indeed. It was after his death that I took time to reflect on some of his teachings about the limitless mercy of God and have come to appreciate how powerful these teachings were, even though some people misunderstood them
In a world often marked by division, anger, and judgment, the call to mercy shines like a lighthouse guiding weary ships home. Mercy is not just a beautiful idea or a moment of kindness; it is a way of life for everyone who professes to be Christian. It is a life that we all are called to live – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36-42). To become apostles of mercy is to live each day as living signs of God’s boundless love and forgiveness
Our journey to becoming apostles of mercy begins with a personal encounter with God’s own mercy. We can show mercy because mercy has been shown to us by the Father of all mercies whose mercies endure forever. Each of us has fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23), yet God’s love meets us not with condemnation, but with grace. When the prodigal son returned home, he was not met with punishment but with open arms and a celebration (Luke 15:11-32). So, it is with us- God’s mercy is greater than our failures, stronger than our fears, and more enduring than our shame
When we recognise and acknowledge how much mercy we have received from God, that it is actually because of His mercy that we are still alive, we are humbled. It reminds us that we are not self-made, but grace saved. It breaks the chains of pride and opens our hearts to compassion. A question to reflect on, “When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to feel the depth of God’s mercy toward you?”
Mercy is not meant to stop with us; it is meant to flow through us. Just as a river does not hoard the water it receives; we are called to pass on the mercy given to us. Mercy transforms us from the inside out. It softens our hearts toward those we once judged. It opens our hearts toward those we once ignored. It gives us patience with those we once found difficult
Saint John Paul II wrote, “The church lives an authentic life when she professes and proclaims mercy- the most stupendous attribute of the creator and of the Redeemer- and when she brings people close to the sources of the Saviour’s mercy” (Dives in Misericordia, 13)
To be transformed by mercy means to cultivate a heart that sees beyond offences, a mind that seeks to understand rather than to accuse, and a spirit that reflects the heart of Jesus
An apostle is not just a follower, an apostle is one who is sent. Being apostles of mercy means we are sent into the world as carriers of hope, forgiveness, and healing. It means showing mercy not only to those who deserve it but especially to those who don’t- just as Christ did for us
We should know that mercy is not weakness, it is strength. It is the bold proclamation that love is stronger than hatred, and forgiveness is more powerful than revenge. Pope Francis reminds us, “Mercy is the very foundation of the church’s life. The church’s very credulity is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love” (Misericordiae Vultus, 10)
When we live as apostles of mercy, we bring Christ into every conversation, every act of kindness, and every moment of compassion. We become part of God’s great story of redemption unfolding in the world
Transform me O Lord by your love, so that I may see others through your eyes. Send me into the world as an apostle of your mercy. Amen
Fr Alvan Ibeh (Voice of hope family)
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