“Jesus affirms that mercy is not only an action of the Father, it becomes a criterion for ascertaining who
his true children are. In short, we are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us.
Pardoning offences becomes the clearest expression of merciful love, and for us Christians it is an
imperative from which we cannot excuse ourselves. At times how hard it seems to forgive! And yet pardon is the instrument placed into our fragile hands to attain serenity of heart.”
Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, (Bull of Indiction for Yr of Mercy) No. 9. http://www.im.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo/bolla.html
