Who is Worthy of Mercy?
“And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Exodus 33:19 (NIV)
“‘This is a terrible sentence,’ Blue told Hayes. ‘But in truth, it is a sentence you wrote for yourself in flames on July 23, 2007.’”
According Merriam Webster, the origins of the word mercy can be traced to the Latin, meaning: price paid, and/or wages. It is an interesting definition, especially for Christians, as we believe that Christ paid for our life with His, extending mercy where none was merited, and offering a sacrifice that is often rejected.
Traditionally, we think of mercy as being compassion, shown to one whom we have power over. One throws themselves on the mercy of the court, hoping for a lighter sentence or seeking forgiveness, implying that someone has the power to grant the lighter sentence or offer forgiveness.
I believe we should feel the weight of our choices. Our actions have consequences and we should know and understand the cost of our behavior. From the beginning of our lives, most lessons learned are through cause and effect. When we cry we are fed or comforted, when we take one step after another, we are able to cross the room, and retrieve an illusive toy, and when we touch what is off limits, we are scolded and receive a disapproving look. It is a system which is universal to mankind, throughout the ages and across socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural lines. Thus, as we go forward in life, we develop expectations based on our behavior.
This week, one of two men, who kidnapped, raped, robbed, murdered, and burned a family of four, killing the wife and mother, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and daughters and sisters, Hayley Petit and Michaela Petit, was sentenced to die. At the sentencing hearing, Jennifer’s sister, Cynthia Hawke-Renn spoke saying: “‘Some people are so evil that they do not deserve life,’ she said, ‘and Steven Hayes falls into that category.’”
This case was very disturbing, and the crimes committed against the family were vile, malicious, and immoral! I could barely stand to read the account Dr. William Petit, who survived the attack, gave. How can man be cable of such behavior?
I am well versed in all of the “reasons” or excuses for evil: childhood neglect and abuse, victim of similar or equal crime, drug and alcohol use and abuse, temporary insanity, physiological or chemical anomalies, and again, as a Christian, the devil.
When I heard the above sentence pronounced, I was not sad. I think I was almost glad – perhaps, relieved is the correct word. I do not think this man should live.
I was at my brother-in-laws table, when news of this case was discussed. My brother-in-law, Doug, is a prison chaplain, in Massachusetts, and along with his wife, my sister, Caroline, they have established an aftercare program for prisoners which works to create relationships between former convicts and local churches, which will help to disciple the men, and provide a support system. http://newbrothers.org/ After expressing my glee that this perpetrator would be sentenced to death, I turned to Doug, thinking I had probably offended him – which I had not intended to do. He was not offended, if anything his work had given him more insight into such men, and I think he understood my feelings, though he said little. I imagine, he might also have been thinking of the convict’s soul and perhaps his family and friends.
Since then, I have been thinking a lot about mercy? Who deserves mercy? As I am truly only a student of one philosophy, I go to my Bible: In Deuteronomy 7:2 the Bible says: “and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.” (NIV) I will confess to love the Old Testament. I love this powerful and passionate God, who quite literally takes no prisoners. The only problem is that I am weak and flawed; I would not have survived the law. But, the Old Testament also offers Micah 6:8, a favorite verse, which says: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humblywith your God.” (NIV) I believe in justice, and I am humbled by God, but do I love mercy?
It seems that justice would demand that the judges’ sentence be carried out quickly and without further grief to the victims’ family, but should there be mercy? Who is worthy of mercy? I have to say, that my first response, to this question, is either all or nothing – either we are all worthy of mercy or none of us are worthy.
It is with worthy that I have a problem. I could not do what this convicted man did, does that make me more worthy of mercy? On these pages, I have pleaded for action on behalf of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman who faces death, by stoning, for her supposed role in her husbands death; she is also accused of adultery. I have not questioned her guilt or innocence, I happen to believe she is innocent, but the truth is that I have extended mercy to her, regardless of whether or not she is guilty. Why are we like this? Why is our mercy conditional?
Matthew 5:7 says: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” I want to be shown mercy, mostly by God, but also by mankind. I want my flaws and weakness to be forgiven and to be treated with mercy; including my inability to be merciful to this man. I will pray that he makes his peace with God, which is all that I can do. That is all for now.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/02/
connecticut.home.invasion/index.html
