I recently had to make a fateful choice, between Divine justice for my enemies, and Divine mercy. Neither one alone seemed wholly sufficient. If there is nothing but mercy for us, regardless of our conduct, then there is no reason to behave oneself. But if there is nothing but justice, then who among us can possibly be saved?
For reasons I will not go into though, I had to side with one over the other. And so my preferences settled upon mercy. In all honesty, it was motivated to some extent by self-interest, as I have done as many wretched things in this world as the next man.
But perhaps that is the most important question: does one's self-love outweigh hatred for one's foes? If not, then you will destroy yourself in your quest to avenge yourself, which makes very little sense, because if your soul is valuable enough to be avenged, is it not also valuable enough to be saved?
If, on the other hand, those who were most vile towards you deserve another chance, how much more so do you yourself deserve one? And how much more will your mercy towards others be rewarded by He who sees all?
So that is the side of the fence which I, who once balanced atop it, have since fallen to.
Add new comment