"Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy." (Matt. 5:7)

In Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables, Jean Valjean served a 19-year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread in order to feed his sister's family. Finally, he is set free. A bishop is the only one who will befriend the embittered man. Valjean rewards him by stealing some of his silver. He is caught red-handed by the police. The bishop is called to the police station to prefer charges. Instead of doing that, he brings Valjean his candlestick holders as well. Valjean is forever changed. He extends grace to an orphan child and raises her as his own. He forgives the policeman who wanted to put him back in jail. Finally he dies, holding in his hand the two candlesticks that the bishop gave him. This embittered man learned to extend mercy because mercy had been extended to him.

Let us show mercy because we will receive judgment without mercy if we show no mercy.