Go and learn the meaning of the words, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”
They say that the English language is so hard to learn because words are not gender specific and so many words sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Examples “sale and sail”; by and buy; two and to and too. Some are spelled the same such as read and read ( tense being the difference.)
Jesus says in our Gospel today, ” Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners’
I go to Church, to Mass, Communion and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I also volunteer. Sometimes, I think that I am righteous but in my heart I know that I am a sinner and in need of a physician. So Jesus prescription for us today is to clearly learn the meaning of mercy.
What is the meaning of mercy?
Like most things in the Bible the meaning is repeated. My Bible scripture notes led me to Hosea 6:6 For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. This I don’t believe is complete. It seems knowledge of God and knowledge of scripture is a wrapped together. Sacrifice is important to but it does not overshadow mercy.
So what is the meaning of mercy for us today. It seems to me that it is love of God and love of neighbor. If God is love then He wants to be merciful to us by forgiving our sins and our neighbors sins. Because God loves us His nature is to be merciful for us. Just as God wants a relationship with us He also wants to forgive. His mercy is everlasting.
It seems mercy and love are what we are to understand. Our judgement is not certain until after we leave this life. God is always the God of second chances. My pray is that I continue to learn the meaning of “mercy, not sacrifice”.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please continue to pray for Paul and Anna
Picture credit: “Divine Mercy 3” by Saints and Blesseds is marked with CC PDM 1.0
