(Vatican Radio) To find mercy we must first forgive. It is through forgiveness that
our hearts, and the world, are filled with peace. This was the overarching theme of
Pope Francis’ homily during Monday morning’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.
“Be
merciful as your Father is merciful.” Commenting on these words of Jesus, the Pope
added that “it is not easy to understand this attitude of mercy” because we are habitually
judgmental. “We are not [the sorts of people] who naturally [allow for understanding
and mercy.”]
“To be merciful,” he said, “two attitudes are needed. The first
is knowledge of oneself”. This self-knowledge means that we acknowledge “we have done
many bad things: we are sinners!” And, when faced with the need for repentance, “the
justice of God transforms us in mercy and forgiveness.” However, we must have shame
for our sins.
“It is true none of us have murdered anyone, but many little
things, many daily sins, every day… and when someone thinks: ‘ But what a small heart:
I have done this against the Lord!’ And he is ashamed! He is ashamed before God, and
this shame is a grace: it is the grace of being sinners. ‘I am a sinner, and I am
ashamed before You and ask your forgiveness.’ It is simple, but very difficult, to
say: ‘I have sinned.’”
Often, Pope Francis said, we blame others for our
sins, like Adam and Eve did. “Maybe,” he continued “someone else did help me, facilitated
the way to do it, but I did it myself!
If we [think like] this, how much good
will occur, because we will be humble!” And “with this attitude of penitence we are
more able to be merciful, because we feel within us the mercy of God,”. Just like
in the Our Father: “Forgive, as we are forgiven.” Therefore, “if I do not forgive,
I am somewhat out of the game!”
The other attitude we need to have in order
to be merciful, the Pope continued, is to have a large heart, because “a small” and
“egotistical heart is incapable of mercy.”
“Make the heart grow! ‘But I
myself am a sinner.’ ‘Who am I to judge?’ This statement, ‘Who am I to judge this?
Who am I to gossip about this?... Who am I, who have done the same or worse?’ The
heart grows! And the Lord says, ‘Judge not, and you will not be judged! Condemn not,
and you will not be condemned! Forgive, and you will be forgiven! Give, and you will
receive!’ This [is] generosity of heart! And what will you receive? A good measure,
pressed down and overflowing will be poured into your lap. And the image of the person
of the person who goes out to collect the wheat with the apron and makes the apron
larger so as to receive more, more wheat. If you have a wide, large heart, you can
receive more.”
The merciful heart, said Pope Francis, “does not condemn,
but forgives, forgets” because God has forgotten my sins; God has forgiven my sins.
Enlarge the heart. This is beautiful,” the Pope said: “You are merciful.”
“Merciful
men and women have a wide, wide heart: always forgiving others and thinking about
their [own] sins. This is the way of mercy for which we must ask. But if all of is,
if all people, individuals, families, neighbourhoods, had this attitude, how much
peace there would be in the world – how much peace in our hearts! Because mercy brings
us peace. Always remember: ‘Who am I to judge? Have shame and enlarge your heart.
May the Lord give us this grace.”