Mercy is God’s Choice

Two people can hear the same words and understand something totally different. Each person will hear what they want to hear, regardless of accuracy. I find that true almost every day in the Church. We all hear God’s word through Holy Scriptures, but we don’t all understand the same.

Brethren, it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are reckoned as descendants. For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, she was told, “The elder will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy. For the scripture says to Pharoah, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”

Romans 9.6-19

If we are inclined to judgment, we hear today’s reading as unfair. How could God choose who to have mercy on? Isn’t God supposed to be fair and equal in His mercy and love? We hear that God “has mercy upon whomever he wills,” and we think that means He is against us.

If we are inclined to mercy, we hear today’s readings as a reminder that God is in charge. If God chooses to have mercy on someone, then why shouldn’t we? We don’t get jealous. Instead, we show more mercy in thanks to God for His mercy.

Here’s the thing. Just because God says he will have mercy on whomever He wills, doesn’t mean He will choose not to have mercy. God is a God of mercy. The impact of Saint Paul’s reading is that WE shouldn’t rush to judgment. If God chooses mercy, that should be enough.

This is why Saint Paul says there is no injustice on God’s part. Saint Paul is preparing for us to witness God’s mercy firsthand without judgment. What will happen if we ‘get to heaven’ and realize God chose to have mercy on everyone? Would that anger us or bring us joy?

It is possible to experience God’s mercy as torment if we do not agree with His choice. Remember the ‘older brother’ of the Prodigal Son? He was tormented by his father’s mercy. Even when God chooses mercy for us, we may still find ourselves in hell. It is still God’s choice.

When we see others the same way God sees them, it becomes easier to be merciful. We say to ourselves, “If God is willing to be merciful to them that should be enough for me.” God’s choice becomes our choice. God’s mercy becomes our mercy.