As a wisdom teacher, Jesus tells the story of a servant who is forgiven a huge debt when he begs for mercy from his master, but then the servant harshly demands full payment of a small debt from a fellow servant – which enrages the master.* Obviously, the master intended his kindness to be passed along to others. The story is painted with a broad brush to make this point.
Getting revenge seems to be a primary goal of the executive branch of our government these days, but it is clear that we cannot say we follow Jesus and participate in such targeted violence and disrespect. Suppose instead we all practiced kindness and mercy in our daily lives, noticing acts of care and naming them.
I actually shop at a particular market because I like the way the staff treats everyone, from food-stamp users to shoppers who barely look at the cost of their groceries. I especially like the respect that they show elderly people who are buying small amounts of food and count their change exactly. Although I am a minority customer there, I am drawn by their kindness and trust their care for me also.
It reminds me of Micah’s adage: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” What a creative and conscious world that would be.
