Saturday, July 28, 2012

A Plea for Mercy


The recent horrific shooting in Aurora and the case of Jerry Sandusky has sparked cries for justice for these horrific criminals. Cries that these and other criminals tortured to death, dismembered, raped, have been loud and frequent, and predictions that Hell is in their future are many.
This is a natural human reaction. We want bad people to suffer for their sins. We want them to experience what they put others through. We demand justice for them.
But if we call for justice, we shall in turn receive justice. And none of us can stand under the test of justice, as the Bible notes: “If thou, O lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who should stand it?” (Psalm 130:3)
I call for mercy for myself and others, because I know all of the horrible things that I have done, and that I have been spared from a horrible by many people who have shown me mercy.  The words of Our Savior are always before me: “For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:2)
We must, of course, punish criminals such as the Aurora shooter and Sandusky, by keeping them away from harming society, and giving them time to think on their evils. But we must remember that our own sins are many, and that we are not so far removed from them as we might like to think. 
Before calling for mere "justice" for evil individuals, let us always take a good look in the mirror and remember our own faults.

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