"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.