Being Merciful

Jesus cure a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath,  and again incurred the anger of the Pharisees (who must have followed Jesus everywhere like CIA agents). To Jesus, the cure of the man was more important than keeping the letter of the law, a now familiar theme.  His example of unbounded mercy has inspired his followers for two thousand year.  A noteworthy disciple is St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest who ministered to the slaves who arrived in Columbia in the 1600's.  Ten thousand a month arrived and Fr. Claver  boarded the ships to do what he could to relieve the suffering of those who were still alive after the arduous voyage and inhuman living conditions. He fed them and baptized the dying until the plague ended his life.  His example sets the bar high for us, but even if we can do a little each day to extend the mercy of Jesus, we are in good company.
Bro. Rene