The ABCs: M is for (Radical) Mercy
Let It Go
In many spiritual traditions, there is a practice in which a selected scriptural passage becomes the theme for the week. At Radical Spirituality, we do the same thing, but in a radical way.
Each Sunday, I offer The ABC’s of Radical Spirituality, a single, simple word distilled from the common principles of all the world’s faith and wisdom teachings that serves as the exploration for the week. They are the roots of Radical Spirituality. And because I am that person, the words are in alphabetical order. We start with A and go to Z.
It’s a simple practice to get to the roots of what matters on our spiritual path. The best part is that you will get out of it what you put into it. If you just keep the word on a sticky-note on your computer, it will still work it’s magic. But to dig deeper, delve in, dive in, and see what you find.
M is for (Radical) Mercy
“O men! you can take life easily but, remember, none of you can give life! So, have mercy, have compassion! And, never forget, that compassion makes the world noble and beautiful.” —Gautama Buddha
Mercy is a word with heavy spiritual connotation, especially in the Abrahamic faiths. Usually interpreted to mean kindness or forgiveness, it commonly connotes pity, favor, leniency, or heavenly reward.
However, like most of our ABCs, the word has a deeper root. Mercy comes from both the French, Merci, or “thanks,” and the Latin Merces/Merced meaning “reward, wages or price due for work.” In other words, we receive Mercy as a result of having done something. Mercy is the thanks, reward, or payment. But for what?
In the Abrahamic understanding, we receive Mercy — the reward of leniency— when we behave in the ways we are instructed by God. Kindness and forgiveness are offered to us as a Divine “Thank you for trying.” In other words, we have to follow the laws (our work) to receive God/Heaven/Spirit/Other’s rewards (or we have to plead for Mercy when we don’t and God lets it go). Like our previous ABC, Love, it’s reciprocal.
And yet, we are instructed to offer Mercy – kindness and forgiveness – to all. Including ourselves. This is both an Abrahamic and Eastern value. God/Source/Ultimate Reality provides Mercy or Compassion to all – the poor, the sick, those who have done wrong, and those who aren’t even making the effort – and so should we. But if Mercy is a reward or thank you for good (or effortful) behavior, why should we offer it for nothing?
The key is in the Hebrew/Arabic word for Mercy, Raham/Rahim, from the shared root word R-H-M, meaning “womb.” This word is used over and over in the Bible and Qur’an to describe God’s Mercy and suggests the perpetual care, forgiveness, and divine protection that a mother gives to her child, both in the womb and after birth. The child receives Mercy simply for existing.
So, the radical way of looking at Mercy is to see it as the unconditional, perpetual protection given as the reward simply for being. The Divine (in whatever way you conceive of it) is watching out for us as a mother would her children, and like a mother, is forgiving of our missteps, even our ignorant ones. Mama is Merciful.
Similarly, we are entreated to offer Mercy to others (and ourselves) just because they exist and deserve to be treated with kindness and forgiveness. Like the Divine Mercy we emulate, we choose to be kind instead of harsh. We forgive instead of punishing. We curb our judgments. We offer compassion instead of more harm.
We let it go.
This week, we explore Mercy: Where and how can we let it go?
Deeper Roots
In the Hebrew Bible, the Mercy of God is seen as protection that comes from the parental devotion inherent in the covenantal relationship between YHVH and the Israelites. When God offers protection, forgiveness, second chances or kindness it is because of His/Her parental devotion to us and because we were doing our best to uphold the laws (even if we slip up). In other words, Mercy is God's reward for keeping to the agreement (or at least trying to).
In Islam, one of the primary names of Allah is Ar-Rahim, or “Most Merciful.” As mentioned above, the root of the word (also the same in Hebrew) R-H-M, means “womb.” Here, too, Allah is seen as a Mother who offers protection, forgiveness and kindness to her children. But – and here’s the rub -- only to those who are believers: it’s the payment/reward for toeing the line. If not, there will be hell to pay.
In both the Bible and the Qur’an, God offers Mercy as reward to those who keep the faith. Not surprisingly, then, God also withholds his reward of Mercy from those who don’t (which is why the Hebrew God and Allah are often seen as unforgiving to non-believers). This God, it seems, is selective.
But, in Christian doctrine, God’s Mercy is unconditional. God loves everyone. Or so it seems. At least if you are Christian. In Christianity, Mercy is most often understood as when God doesn’t give us what we deserve when we screw up i.e., punishment, reproach, ill-favor. God could inflict harsh punishment (Hell, Damnation and other nasties), but He doesn’t. We are forgiven. But why?
One could go to the “Jesus died for our sins” bit, or that God is simply nice, but I think there’s a different way of looking at it. In a court of law, leniency or mercy is often given when the defendant offers some form of contrition or repentance. Hence, the emphasis on confession, contrition, and repentance in Christianity (similar to teshuvah in Judaism). God is thinking, “They are sorry for what they did. I can forgive them. I will not inflict more pain on them. I will let it go.”
There is still a reciprocal exchange: we have to admit the error of our ways and ask for Mercy. But it is important to note that the Abrahamic God, whether viewed through a Christian, Jewish or Muslim lens, can be both a devoted parent and a master of Tough Love. The Vedas might see it as Karma and Humanists might see it as consequence for wrong action, but either way, when God/The Universe doesn’t punish us (because He/She/It certainly can), it’s Mercy. This makes sense if you see God/The Universe as a judge, or if you believe in some kind of cosmic balancing.
In Buddhist doctrine, Compassion is synonymous with Mercy and defined as the wish for others to be free from suffering. Avalokiteśvara (or Guan Yin) is the Bodhisattva of Compassion who hears the cries of those who suffer and comes to their aid to relieve their suffering.
We often think Compassion is unconditional, but just as in the Abrahamics, it seems that people must do something to receive it. We must call for help. As The Lotus Sutra states: “If innumerable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of sentient beings who experience suffering hear of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and wholeheartedly chant his name, Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara will immediately perceive their voices and free them from their suffering." (Italics mine).
If we look more deeply, we can understand that as humans, we are always suffering. We are always slipping up in our obligations or attempts to be decent people. Our cries - or our pleas and contrition - can always be heard, and God or Avalokiteśvara or other people can always choose to come to our aid to lessen our pain. We don’t have to be “believers” in any particular deity, but we need to be willing to say, “Help. Please.” or “I’m sorry I screwed up.” We need a little humility.
So, if we combine the two lines of understanding into a single deep root, Mercy could be seen as the way we limit the suffering we can cause to others through our judgements, words, or actions. Like Avalokiteśvara, we can hear the cries (audible or not) of others and offer compassion, remembering that we don’t want to add to their suffering. And like the parental Abrahamic God who chooses to protect instead of punish, we can choose to restrain our impulses to judge or act harshly.
We can let it go.
Reflection Questions
What does Mercy mean to me?
Where have I given or received Mercy?
What prevents me from offering Mercy?
How can I be more Merciful?
Suggested Practice
For this week, consider opportunities to offer Mercy. Where can you bring compassion or leniency to a situation or person (including yourself), restraining your desires to punish, condemn or add to their suffering? Where can you let it go?
“You, O Lord, you will not withhold from me your mercies (רחמיך; rachamekha); let your fidelity and your truth preserve me always.” (Psalm 40:11-12).